Is Januvia worth the price?

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januvia edrugsearch.com prescription drugs diabetesThe Type 2 diabetes drug Januvia has become a source of controversy after the drug’s maker, Merck, funded a letter to doctors by CVS Caremark, the pharmacy benefits manager, urging the physicians to add the drug to specific patients’ treatment regimens.

Januvia costs as much as 10 times the price of older diabetes drugs such as metformin and glipizide. (Note: Januvia purchased from a Canadian pharmacy costs about half as much as from a U.S. pharmacy — though it is still significantly more expensive than metformin and glipizide.)

Beyond the apparent conflict of interest in CVS Caremark’s letter, the question most important to patients is whether Januvia’s superiority over older, cheaper diabetes drugs makes it worth the additional cost.

The answer is, it depends.

Amy at Diabetes Mine points out that Merck has been pushing the drug very hard, and that while it appears to be effective, there are also concerns about safety and side effects.

If you have Type 2 diabetes and are considering Januvia, or your doctor has already recommended it to you, make sure to discuss the pros and cons thoroughly — and don’t be afraid to remind your doctor of Januvia’s additional cost. Physicians often forget to factor cost into their decisions on which drugs to prescribe, so it’s important to speak up.

And if you do end up taking Januvia, be sure to ask for free samples whenever you visit your doctor.

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  • Indrish Chandra

    Dear Sir,
    I am using Januvia for the last four weeks. Of late I am feeling that while passing urine the stream of urine is leaner. I do not know whether my kidneys will get affected in future. Presently alll report of kindney function are within limits.

  • Margaret V

    I was prescribed Januvia and only after a few months I felt great, like my old self again and was even able to get some weight off and keep it off! This year the only insurance we’re offered has an extremly high deductible and doesn’t have prescription coverage until after you meet the high deductible. Consequently, I can no longer afford to take Januvia.

  • Westley Brenton

    My current supplier’s 90 day supply out-of-pocket cost is $70.32 (50mg)
    Taken once a day. They do not list a generic so I assume that none exists.
    I can go to the internet and find the same for as low as $27.32 for a 90 day supply. Why does my supplier cost so much more since the only ones that can be offered is the Brand Name Drug????

  • http://netzero norman stuber

    i had been taken mtemorfin and change insurance then had a different dr. when they called regarding my lab results i was informed that he changed my medication to to januvia. i have been taking it now for 6 weeks and have noticed no difference. does anyone know the advantage of this change as the cost is 20 times more.

  • Charles Bradsher

    My doctor put me on Junivia about 4 weeks ago. I also take glimepride. Before Junivia my blood sugar was running around 170. Since I started on Junivia my blood sugar is running around 127. No side effects. The only problem is the cost of the medicine.
    Charles Bradsher

  • http://aol vincent

    where, on the internet, can Januvia be purchased for 27.32 for a 90 day supply?

  • http://? Nina R. Santiago

    I dont know my website…should I?
    Unless my Dr. is able to subscribe. I will not be able to buy Januvia at the price Walgreens charges..($50.00) for I month.
    There has to be something out there that is lower priced..NIna R. Santiago

  • Ammie J

    Nina,
    Glimiperide is $4 per month at Walmart or $10 for a 3 months supply.

  • Oksana

    I don’t where you guys find these prices… I just filled my husband’s prescription for Januvia without insurance and the cost is $206.00 for one-month supply of 100mg! I shopped around, at Wallmart, walgreen and Costco, all the same price!

  • Yvonne

    Already a diabetic, my levels got worse during my pregnancy. my doctor added januvia to my metformin. I had readings of 100 to 110 throughout my pregnancy. Januvia saved my life and that of my baby. He was born a perfect 8 lbs 2 oz.

  • joe c

    well i use januvia for the last 3 years and every month is 184 american dollars dollar’s cvs is the lowes price i found. thanks

  • Apple

    I was at Kaiser Pharmacy to pick up this new medication called Januvia, and I was so surprice for the price of medication. Kaiser is charging me for 100 tablet for $1,461. I did not bought it since it is my whole month pay check, are they carzr?

  • http://eDrugSearch.com Martha

    My doctor prescribe me januvia 4 months ago,I have been given samples each time I run out of them,, but I don”t know how long this will last, i can’t afford to the cost of the pills.

  • phil

    I was just this week, diagnosed with type II. Got an Rx for Metaformin and Januvia. Took it to CVS. Asked the price of Januvia. $522 or $460 with their Care card. (self-pay) Told ‘em no. If I wish to be robbed, I’ll shop in da hood.

  • Jenny

    I cannot believe anyone would take Januvia during pregnancy! This drug is too new, there were no studies done on pregnant women, and there is no way to know what the long term effects on your child may be. Insulin has been tried and true and safe and should have been the choice that afforded you excellent control without hurting your baby or putting the baby at risk for the unknown complication.

  • max lotz

    I too need to know where to get januvia for cheaper prices. HELP

  • Ron

    It is a crime that drug companies charge these outlandish prices when in fact the government helps support the research that goes into the medications. Conspiracy…perhaps. Your government at work again.

  • Bill Clark

    I have been taking Januvia as well as metformin for 18 months. Cost per month for Januvia is $110.00. have had great success with treatments but now Dr. wants me to take 200 mg per day. Anyone know of effects this may bring?

  • George Carrera

    I’m concerned about the possible conflict of interest between pharmaceuticals and
    doctors prescribing Januvia. I currently take both metformin and januvia for my Type 2.
    An article in the current AARP Bulletin states, “Very often, patients with diabetes can avoid drugs altogether by losing weight, excersising more and stopping smoking.
    At 78, I excercise daily, I’m a lean machine, and I have never smoked.
    Can I ask my doctor to take me off Januvia without raising his ire?

  • Herly

    There are coupons online for januvia that you can print and take to the pharmacist. The first coupon is for the first month free. Then you can get it for about $5 a month with the card you print out. I googled it and found it

  • diabetic deb

    Please contact merck medco directly. They have a patient assistance program for people who have no insurance or who may have insurance but may alo be taking very expensive meds that they’re already paying for. Last year, I didn’t have insurance and I made less than $42,000 a year so I qualified to get them free for 12 months. My application is due again and this time around I not only have no insurance, but I’m unemployed at the moment as well. So please look into this program cause nothing is better than free.

  • Martha

    I too can’t understand why januvia is so expensive, my husband takes metformin and he has normal blood sugars. My doc will have to change mine or else I will find a doc that will change it.

  • http://ilijairuza@gmail.com Rose

    Please let me know where I can write the company that makes januvia so I can buy it cheaper for my husband. Thnak you.

  • Bathsheba

    Like Rose I would like to know how to contact the company in order to get a cheaper price on januvia and other diabetes medications

  • Bathsheba

    I am looking for a discount on Januvia more than 19%

  • Juan A Rivas

    Januvia is a great ofr diabetic type two and I have been  using it and I love it but the cost is to hight they should lower it a litter bit.

  • Tony Vera

    I was just given the prescription for Januvia, but I am seriously thinking of not taking it at at all. I didn’t even know I had diabetes 2… and yes, i had some symptoms of diabetes, but in view of the side effects and the cost, I would rather watch my diet and exercise and see how things develop…