Invokana

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Paul Hetrick, PharmD
Updated on June 12, 2024

Invokana is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes, among other uses. Invokana is not available in a generic version. The cost of Invokana with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Invokana for the following uses:

• to manage blood sugar levels, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes
• to lower the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• to lower the risk of kidney failure and other serious health problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (diabetes-related kidney damage)

Read on to learn about Invokana and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Invokana, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.

Cost of Invokana

Like other medications, the cost of Invokana can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity prescribed

To find out how much Invokana costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Invokana” section.

Additional Invokana cost-savings information can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

Coupons for Invokana

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Invokana. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons can’t be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Invokana

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Invokana. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Invokana. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Invokana long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Invokana is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about Invokana and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Invokana.  

How much does Invokana cost with or without insurance?

Having insurance coverage can considerably lower the price you’ll pay for brand-name medications, such as Invokana. The cost of Invokana will likely be higher if you pay for it without insurance.

Other factors can also affect the cost of Invokana, even with insurance. Examples include:

• the dosage strength of Invokana you take: 100 milligrams (mg) or 300 mg
• whether you get a 1-month or 3-month supply of Invokana
• the pharmacy you use (some insurance plans have preferred pharmacies)

If you have insurance, talk with a representative at member services to find out how much Invokana costs with your plan. If you don’t have insurance, ask your pharmacist about the price of Invokana and ways to possibly lower your cost.

Does Medicare cover Invokana?

It depends. If you have a Medicare Part D drug plan, it’s likely that your plan covers Invokana. It may still be expensive, even if your Medicare plan covers it. The exact price you’ll pay depends on several factors. Examples include your specific Part D plan, the pharmacy you use, and whether you’ve met your plan’s deductible.

To learn more about whether Invokana is covered by Medicare and how much it costs, talk with someone at your insurance company, pharmacy, or doctor’s office.

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Invokana (canagliflozin) tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/204042s040lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.