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Medicines labeled for the same conditions

Alternatives to metformin and pioglitazone

18 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as metformin and pioglitazone or labeled mainly for the same use (type 2 diabetes); the others include 5 dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, 3 sulfonylureas and 3 sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (FDA labels read October 8, 2026).

Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as metformin and pioglitazone?

Type 2 diabetes lists all 52 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.

Medicine and FDA classShared indicationGeneric labelers (oral)Pharmacy costBoxed warningShortage
Metformin and pioglitazoneperoxisome proliferator receptor gamma agonistthis medicine5 labelers$0.283 per unit 15-500YesNo current entry
GlipizidesulfonylureaType 2 diabetes31 labelers$0.0339 per tablet 5 mg tabletNoNo current entry
GlimepiridesulfonylureaType 2 diabetes29 labelers$0.0507 per tablet 4 mg tabletNoNo current entry
GlyburidesulfonylureaType 2 diabetes16 labelers$0.0643 per tablet 5 mg tabletNoA presentation being discontinued
Sitagliptindipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitorType 2 diabetes4 labelers$3.77 per tablet 100 mg tabletNoNo current entry
RepaglinideglinideType 2 diabetes7 labelers$0.0987 per tablet 1 mg tabletNoNo current entry
NateglinideglinideType 2 diabetes9 labelers$0.179 per tablet 60 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Acarbosealpha-glucosidase inhibitorType 2 diabetes6 labelers$0.274 per tablet 100 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Alogliptindipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitorType 2 diabetesnone listed$4.96 per tablet 12.5 mg tabletNoNo current entry
SemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonistType 2 diabetesnone listed$33.13 per tablet 1.5 mg tabletYesA presentation being discontinued
Miglitolalpha-glucosidase inhibitorType 2 diabetes2 labelersn/aNoNo current entry
Saxagliptindipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitorType 2 diabetes3 labelers$1.04 per tablet 5 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Bexagliflozinsodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitorType 2 diabetesnone listedn/aNoNo current entry
Linagliptindipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitorType 2 diabetesnone listed$16.80 per tablet 5 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Empagliflozin and linagliptinsodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitorType 2 diabetesnone listed$11.24 per tablet 10 mg-5 mg tabletNoNo current entry
ErtugliflozinType 2 diabetesnone listed$11.44 per tablet 15 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Ertugliflozin and sitagliptindipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitorType 2 diabetesnone listed$17.59 per tablet 15-100 mg tabletNoNo current entry
Dapagliflozin and saxagliptinsodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitorType 2 diabetes1 labelern/aNoNo current entry
Insulin glargineinsulin analogType 2 diabetesnone listedn/aNoA presentation being discontinued

Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

What do pharmacies pay for each?

The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price

What next?

Metformin and pioglitazone: the full record
label, generics, price, shortages, recalls