Metformin without insurance is usually quite affordable in its generic tablet form, often ranging from about $4 to $20 per month for common doses like 500 mg, depending on the pharmacy, strength, and discounts used. Brand-name or liquid and extended‑release versions can be much more expensive, sometimes reaching over $150–$300+ per month if paid at full retail price.

Typical cash prices (2025–2026)

  • Generic metformin 500 mg tablets (immediate‑release): average national cash price around $10–$20 for 60 tablets (about a one‑month supply for many people).
  • Discount or “$4 list” programs: some large chain pharmacies or discount programs bring a 30‑day supply down to about $4–$10.
  • Extended‑release (ER) tablets: often $15–$60+ per month at retail, though discounts can reduce this closer to the generic IR price at some pharmacies.
  • Liquid metformin: can be hundreds of dollars per bottle (for example, around $300+ retail for a 300–500 mL bottle) without discounts.

Price range snapshot (no insurance)

[5][3] [7][3][5] [1][5] [3][5][1] [1][3] [3][1] [7][5] [5][7][3]
Form / type Typical monthly cash cost (US) With common discounts
Generic IR tablets (500–1000 mg) $10–$20 for ~60 tablets.As low as $4–$10/month at some pharmacies.
Generic ER tablets Roughly $20–$60+/month depending on dose and pharmacy.Often $4–$30/month with pharmacy or coupon programs.
Liquid metformin About $300+ per bottle at standard retail prices.Some discount programs may lower this but it stays relatively costly.
Overall monthly range (all forms) About $4 to $150+ depending on form and brand vs generic.Lower end usually applies to generic tablets with discounts.

Why prices vary so much

  • Formulation and brand
    • Generic immediate‑release tablets are the cheapest option almost everywhere.
* Brand‑name or specialty forms (extended‑release, liquid) have higher list prices and fewer deeply discounted offers.
  • Pharmacy and location
    • Different chains negotiate different wholesale prices and run their own discount lists, so the same prescription might be a few dollars at one pharmacy and several times more at another.
* Urban vs rural areas and regional pricing can change the cash price range.
  • Coupons and discount cards
    • Coupon sites and prescription savings programs frequently drop the price of 500 mg generic metformin (60 tablets) to around $6–$15 , sometimes lower at selected pharmacies.
* These usually cannot be combined with insurance, but that does not matter if you are paying completely out of pocket.

Practical tips to lower your cost

  • Ask the prescriber for generic immediate‑release metformin instead of brand‑name or liquid if medically appropriate, since this is typically the lowest‑cost option.
  • Compare prices at 2–3 nearby pharmacies (including big-box stores and warehouse clubs that may fill prescriptions for non‑members) because cash prices can differ significantly.
  • Check reputable coupon or discount‑card sites for current cash prices at pharmacies near your ZIP code and bring the coupon details to the pharmacy when you fill the prescription.
  • Ask if a 90‑day supply is cheaper per tablet than a 30‑day supply, which is sometimes the case for maintenance medications like metformin.

Important health note

Metformin is a long‑term medication for conditions like type 2 diabetes, and suddenly stopping because of cost can be dangerous for blood sugar control. If the price you are quoted makes it hard to continue taking it as prescribed, talk with a clinician or pharmacist about lower‑cost forms, patient‑assistance options, or other treatment plans before making changes to your dose.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.