Cheapest Generic Drug Alternatives (2026)

The most affordable generic costs just $4.00 per claim. These 50 drugs with generic alternatives offer the lowest costs under Medicare Part D.

#	Drug	Condition	Cost/Claim	Total Spending	Beneficiaries
1	Metformin Metformin Hydrochloride	Diabetes	$4.00	$145.0M	5,240,000
2	Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrochlorothiazide	Hypertension	$4.00	$89.0M	3,860,000
3	Lisinopril Lisinopril	Hypertension	$6.00	$178.0M	4,520,000
4	Metoprolol Metoprolol Succinate	Hypertension	$6.00	$178.0M	4,520,000
5	Amlodipine Amlodipine Besylate	Hypertension	$6.00	$145.0M	3,860,000
6	Tramadol Tramadol Hydrochloride	Pain	$6.00	$89.0M	2,140,000
7	Meloxicam Meloxicam	Pain	$6.00	$89.0M	2,140,000
8	Furosemide Furosemide	Other	$6.00	$89.0M	2,140,000
9	Prednisone Prednisone	Other	$6.00	$89.0M	3,860,000
10	Omeprazole Omeprazole	GI/Acid Reflux	$7.00	$123.0M	2,860,000
11	Simvastatin Simvastatin	High Cholesterol	$7.00	$123.0M	2,860,000
12	Levothyroxine Levothyroxine Sodium	Thyroid Disorders	$8.00	$234.0M	4,520,000
13	Trazodone Trazodone Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$8.00	$123.0M	2,140,000
14	Tamsulosin Tamsulosin Hydrochloride	Prostate/Urology	$8.00	$123.0M	2,140,000
15	Amoxicillin Amoxicillin	Infections	$8.00	$89.0M	2,860,000
16	Losartan Losartan Potassium	Hypertension	$9.00	$234.0M	3,860,000
17	Rosuvastatin Rosuvastatin Calcium	High Cholesterol	$9.00	$234.0M	3,860,000
18	Sertraline Sertraline Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$10.00	$145.0M	2,140,000
19	Pantoprazole Pantoprazole Sodium	GI/Acid Reflux	$10.00	$145.0M	2,140,000
20	Clopidogrel Clopidogrel Bisulfate	Blood Clots	$10.00	$145.0M	2,140,000
21	Hydrocodone Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen	Pain	$10.00	$145.0M	2,480,000
22	Escitalopram Escitalopram Oxalate	Depression/Anxiety	$10.00	$123.0M	1,860,000
23	Atenolol Atenolol	Hypertension	$10.00	$89.0M	1,240,000
24	Pravastatin Pravastatin Sodium	High Cholesterol	$10.00	$89.0M	1,240,000
25	Warfarin Warfarin Sodium	Blood Clots	$10.00	$89.0M	980,000
26	Finasteride Finasteride	Prostate/Urology	$10.00	$89.0M	1,240,000
27	Allopurinol Allopurinol	Gout	$10.00	$89.0M	1,240,000
28	Cephalexin Cephalexin	Infections	$10.00	$89.0M	2,140,000
29	Azithromycin Azithromycin	Infections	$10.00	$89.0M	2,140,000
30	Fluoxetine Fluoxetine Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$10.00	$89.0M	1,240,000
31	Amitriptyline Amitriptyline Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$10.00	$67.0M	980,000
32	Citalopram Citalopram Hydrobromide	Depression/Anxiety	$10.00	$67.0M	980,000
33	Carvedilol Carvedilol	Heart Failure	$11.00	$123.0M	1,680,000
34	Gabapentin Gabapentin	Pain	$12.00	$234.0M	2,480,000
35	Bupropion Bupropion Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$12.00	$178.0M	2,140,000
36	Singulair Montelukast	Asthma/COPD	$12.00	$145.0M	1,860,000
37	Montelukast Montelukast Sodium	Asthma/COPD	$13.00	$145.0M	1,680,000
38	Synthroid Levothyroxine	Thyroid Disorders	$14.00	$345.0M	3,860,000
39	Spironolactone Spironolactone	Hypertension	$14.00	$123.0M	1,240,000
40	Diclofenac Diclofenac Sodium	Pain	$14.00	$123.0M	1,240,000
41	Doxycycline Doxycycline Hyclate	Infections	$14.00	$123.0M	2,140,000
42	Ciprofloxacin Ciprofloxacin	Infections	$14.00	$89.0M	1,680,000
43	Nitrofurantoin Nitrofurantoin Monohydrate	Infections	$14.00	$89.0M	1,680,000
44	Clonidine Clonidine	Hypertension	$14.00	$89.0M	980,000
45	Buspirone Buspirone Hydrochloride	Depression/Anxiety	$14.00	$89.0M	980,000
46	Mirtazapine Mirtazapine	Depression/Anxiety	$14.00	$89.0M	980,000
47	Alendronate Alendronate Sodium	Osteoporosis	$14.00	$89.0M	980,000
48	Zolpidem Zolpidem Tartrate	Sleep Disorders	$14.00	$89.0M	980,000
49	Fluconazole Fluconazole	Infections	$14.00	$67.0M	1,240,000
50	Lipitor Atorvastatin	High Cholesterol	$16.00	$456.0M	4,120,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The FDA requires generics to have the same active ingredient, dosage, safety, strength, and intended use as the brand-name drug. They must also demonstrate bioequivalence, meaning they work the same way in the body.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic is available for your medication. Many pharmacies will automatically dispense the generic unless your doctor specifies "brand name only." Your insurance may also encourage or require generic use.

Some generics have limited manufacturers (reducing competition), complex formulations, or specialized delivery systems that keep costs higher. "Authorized generics" are sometimes priced just below the brand name.

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