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Is Linzess covered by insurance? | How much does Linzess cost without insurance? | How to get Linzess without insurance
Linzess (linaclotide) is a brand-name prescription drug prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Belonging to a family of drugs called secretagogues, linaclotide stimulates the lining of the small intestine to secrete more fluids into the small intestine and colon, speeding up the movement of waste products. People with IBS-C will take one 290 mcg capsule on an empty stomach before the first meal each day, but people with CIC will be prescribed 72 to 145 mcg per day. There is no generic version of Linzess, so people without insurance will have to pay the full retail price for treatment. There are Linzess savings options, and the first and most reliable is a SingleCare savings coupon.
RELATED: Linzess side effects
Is Linzess covered by insurance?
Eighty percent of commercial health insurance and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover Linzess prescriptions, according to the manufacturer. Nearly all (93%) Part D beneficiaries have Linzess coverage. However, some insurance companies may require that other less-expensive prescription drugs be tried first. Most people with insurance pay $30 or less for Linzess for a one-month supply. Keep in mind, however, that number includes people who use a Linzess copay savings card from Allergan to manage higher copays. Additionally, people on a high-deductible insurance plan or Medicare beneficiaries who are stuck in the donut hole may be looking for additional prescription savings.
How much does Linzess cost without insurance?
The retail cash price of Linzess is $610 per month without insurance. That’s roughly $20 per capsule. For people on long-term therapy, the total cost can cost more than $7,000 per year.
There is no generic version of Linzess available. The only other prescription drug that works just like Linzess, Trulance (plecanatide), is also sold exclusively as a brand-name drug. It costs even more than Linzess. Although it works differently, another prosecretory treatment for constipation is Amitiza (lubiprostone), a drug with a long history and a lower-priced generic version. Amitiza is not, however, FDA approved to treat patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.
Most patients with IBS-C or CIC have used cheaper, over-the-counter treatments such as laxatives, but dissatisfaction with these treatments is high.
RELATED: Linzess alternatives: What can I take instead of Linzess?
Compare Linzess prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Linzess (linaclotide) | $610 per 30 capsules | $420 per 30 capsules | See updated prices |
| Amitiza (lubiprostone) | $471 per 60, 24 mcg capsules | $200 per 60, 24 mcg capsules | See updated prices |
| Trulance (plecanatide) | $728 per 30, 3 mg tablets | $511 per 30, 3 mg tablets | See updated prices |
| Bentyl (dicyclomine) | $125 per 1, 2 mL of 10 mg/mL solution | $40 per 5, 2 mL of 10 mg/mL vial | See updated prices |
| Kristalose (lactulose powder for solution) | $327 per 30, 20 gm packets | $275 per 30, 20 gm packets | See updated prices |
| Lactulose (oral solution) | $39 per 473 mL of 10 gm/15 mL bottle | $4 per 473 mL of 10 gm/15 mL bottle | See updated prices |
| Motegrity (prucalopride) | $633 per 30 tablets | $465 per 30 tablets | See updated prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get Linzess without insurance
With an annual out-of-pocket cost of $7,000 a year, Linzess can be difficult to afford without insurance coverage. Fortunately, there are many savings options to explore, including manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs. Contact the manufacturer or non-profit organizations for additional information about these programs, including enrollment forms. Not everyone will be able to meet eligibility criteria, however. For those who do not qualify for these savings programs, there are more foolproof and immediate ways to save money on Linzess.
1. Download a SingleCare savings card
All customers can get immediate prescription savings simply by using a SingleCare discount card at participating pharmacies. Get a free Linzess coupon here and compare discount prices at your local pharmacies. Your free coupon can be printed, emailed, or sent to a smartphone for instant use.
2. Ask for a free sample
If you’re in a pinch, your healthcare professional may have free samples available. Unfortunately, free samples usually only cover a week or two or, with good luck, a month. Still, this buys time to find other ways to make treatment more affordable.
3. Switch to lubiprostone
Generic lubiprostone works in a slightly different way than Linzess, but it has the same effects. The average retail cost of generic lubiprostone is about $420 per 60 capsules (at the 24 mcg dose). That’s still high, but it’s at least close to half the cost of Linzess. Use a SingleCare discount card on lubiprostone to reduce your cost to $100 per month (30, 24 mcg capsules).
4. Reconsider over-the-counter laxatives
Chances are patients with IBS-C or CIC have a long history with laxatives, but either they didn’t work well or had side effects. In fact, problems with laxatives or lack of response are the most likely reasons people are prescribed higher-priced medications like Linzess. However, if Linzess is too expensive, then it may be a good idea to get thorough medical advice from your healthcare provider about over-the-counter laxatives options and home remedies until you can enroll in insurance or find a cheaper prescription option.
RELATED: Linzess side effects and how to avoid them
5. Compare pharmacy prices
It’s always a good idea to shop around for the lowest price. Prices for brand-name prescription medications like Linzess can vary between retail pharmacies. It’s possible to save extra money on a Linzess prescription simply by shopping for the lowest price. Search for your drug name and enter your zip code on SingleCare to find a pharmacy near you with the lowest price.
