Glyxambi costs around $10 per tablet at U.S. pharmacies, which works out to roughly $300 a month. The high price comes down to a combination of patent protection, its status as a brand-only combination drug, and the broader dynamics of U.S. drug pricing. No generic version exists, and patent protections extend through 2034, meaning relief on price isn’t coming soon.
No Generic Competition Until 2034
The single biggest reason Glyxambi is expensive is that it has no generic alternative. The last qualifying patent on the drug doesn’t expire until June 2034, giving its manufacturers nearly another decade of market exclusivity. While nine companies have filed applications to eventually produce generic versions, none can launch until those patents clear.
Without generic competitors, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly (the two companies behind Glyxambi) face no price pressure from lower-cost alternatives. Generic drugs typically cost 80% to 85% less than their brand-name counterparts, but until 2034, patients and insurers pay whatever the manufacturers set.
Two Expensive Drugs in One Pill
Glyxambi combines two diabetes medications into a single tablet: empagliflozin (sold separately as Jardiance) and linagliptin (sold separately as Tradjenta). Each of those drugs is itself a brand-name product with its own patent protections, and bundling them into one pill doesn’t come with a discount. It actually gives the manufacturer justification for premium pricing, since the combination required its own clinical development, FDA approval process, and manufacturing setup.
The clinical rationale is that the two drugs work through different mechanisms. One lowers blood sugar by causing the kidneys to excrete excess glucose. The other boosts the body’s natural ability to regulate insulin after meals. Combining them into a single daily tablet simplifies treatment and can improve how consistently people take their medication. That convenience carries a cost, though. Patients who take the two components separately don’t necessarily save money either, since both individual drugs are also expensive brand-name products.
U.S. Prices Dwarf International Costs
The price gap between the U.S. and other countries makes the expense especially frustrating for American patients. At accredited international pharmacies, Glyxambi sells for as little as $2.27 per tablet, compared to around $8 to $10 per tablet in the U.S. That means Americans pay roughly three to four times more for the identical medication.
Canadian pharmacies list prices between $2.27 and $2.96 per tablet for a 90-day supply. The difference exists because countries like Canada negotiate drug prices at the national level, while the U.S. largely allows manufacturers to set their own prices. Medicare only recently gained limited authority to negotiate on certain drugs, and Glyxambi isn’t among them.
Insurance Covers It, but Costs Still Add Up
Most Medicare Part D plans place Glyxambi on Tier 3 as a “preferred brand,” which means it’s covered but with higher copays than generic medications on lower tiers. Plans also impose quantity limits, typically 30 tablets per 30 days.
For people with commercial insurance, copays vary widely depending on the plan. A common scenario is a copay anywhere from $30 to $90 a month after insurance, though some plans with high deductibles leave patients paying closer to the full retail price until they meet their deductible. If your plan has a formulary that excludes Glyxambi or requires you to try cheaper diabetes drugs first, you may face additional hurdles.
Ways to Lower Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
Boehringer Ingelheim offers a savings card that can bring the cost down to as little as $10 per month, with maximum savings of $175 per 30-day supply. The catch: it’s only available to commercially insured patients 18 and older. If you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or any other government program, you’re not eligible. The current savings program runs through December 31, 2025.
For people on Medicare or without insurance, options are more limited. Boehringer Ingelheim does have a separate patient assistance program for uninsured or underinsured individuals, though eligibility is income-based. Some patients also explore international pharmacy options through verified services, where the same 90-day supply that costs $750 or more in the U.S. can run around $200 to $265 from Canadian pharmacies.
If cost is a barrier, it’s also worth discussing alternatives with your prescriber. Taking empagliflozin and linagliptin as separate pills doesn’t change the medical effect, and one of the two components may eventually become available as a generic before the combination pill does. Your doctor may also consider whether a different class of diabetes medication could work for your situation at a lower price point.