How much is Xifaxan without insurance?

Is Xifaxan covered by insurance? | How much does Xifaxan cost without insurance? | How to get Xifaxan without insurance

Xifaxan is a brand-name prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), traveler’s diarrhea, and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). The active ingredient in Xifaxan is rifaximin, an antibiotic that blocks the ability of bacteria to grow. This is why Xifaxan is used to treat traveler’s diarrhea, which is often caused by a bacterial infection. Healthcare professionals are uncertain why it’s an effective treatment for IBS-D, but it does produce remission. Overt hepatic encephalopathy is a condition in which liver disease causes brain dysfunction because of the buildup of toxins in the blood. Xifaxan eliminates those bacteria. Xifaxan may be prescribed off-label for other intestine problems, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or C. difficile overgrowth. Unfortunately, as a brand-name drug with no generic equivalent, Xifaxan commands a premium price that averages about $2,000 per month.

Related: Xifaxan dosage |  Xifaxan side effects

What is the generic for Xifaxan?

Generic Xifaxan is not available. The earliest generic rifaximin may be put on the market is 2029. 

Is Xifaxan covered by insurance?

Xifaxan is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D and Medicaid, but coverage may vary. It’s not necessarily an easy prescription to fill. Coverage usually comes with some restrictions, including prior authorization and quantity limits. Some prescriptions may be turned down. Some may need to be filled through mail order.

Insurance companies generally place Xifaxan in their highest copay tiers, so the out-of-pocket cost will probably be more than people are accustomed to. In addition, other costs may be added on top of the copay cost, including deductibles, co-insurance, or any coverage gap costs.

How much does Xifaxan cost without insurance?

With an average retail price of $2,000 for 30 pills, Xifaxan 550 mg tablets average about $66 each. Fortunately, most people will not need months of treatment. Traveler’s diarrhea requires twice-daily dosing for three days (six tablets). IBS-D requires three tablets a day for 14 days (42 tablets). Hepatic encephalopathy does not have an established treatment duration. 

There may be less expensive alternatives, but it depends on the condition. Xifaxan is a unique treatment for IBS-D. Rather than just relieve symptoms, a two-week course of Xifaxan is usually enough to produce symptom remission. There is no equivalent IBS-D drug. Other IBS-D prescription medications treat the symptoms, such as antidiarrheals, anticholinergics, and serotonin blockers. These drugs may not be as effective and will have different side effects. Before turning down a Xifaxan prescription, get medical advice about the alternatives first. Both traveler’s diarrhea and OHE may have other less costly antibiotic treatments.

Using a SingleCare prescription discount card is a great way to save money on Xifaxan and other prescription medications. The lowest SingleCare discount price for 30, 550 mg tablets of Xifaxan is $1,500.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Xifaxan without insurance

Even with health insurance, Xifaxan is a challenging drug to purchase. Insurance companies require prior authorization and have strict rules for approval. Even then, the copay cost and additional fees may still be high. The manufacturer offers some financial help. A Xifaxan Savings Card is a copay card that might help with out-of-pocket costs for Xifaxan patients with insurance. The manufacturer’s patient assistance program may provide the prescription for free for uninsured eligible patients. However, not everyone can meet the strict eligibility requirements. However, other ways exist to save money on Xifaxan.

1. Use a SingleCare savings card

A free coupon from SingleCare can lower the cost of Xifaxan to as little as $1,479 for 30, 550 mg tablets. Discounts will vary by participating pharmacy, so compare available discounts at local pharmacies on SingleCare’s Xifaxan coupons page. The FAQs section on this page has additional savings and drug information.

2. Compare pharmacy prices

By purchasing Xifaxan at the lowest price available, patients can save almost $600 off the highest pharmacy price. Unfortunately, comparing pharmacy prices on prescription drugs involves a lot of phone calls. Save time by using SingleCare’s average price history table for Xifaxan. The lowest price should be immediately evident.

3. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other treatment options

Many of the conditions that Xifaxan treats have other treatment options, particularly IBS-D. Unfortunately, Xifaxan is used to produce remission of IBS-D symptoms. Other drugs only provide symptom relief, but their cost is dramatically lower. There will be trade-offs. Treatment may involve several prescription medications with different side effects and drug interactions. 

4. Consider health insurance

If Xifaxan is needed for a chronic condition like IBS-D, consider the long-term value of health insurance. You can explore the affordability of this option by visiting your state’s health insurance marketplace. You may qualify for Medicaid or Medicare Low Income Subsidy if resources or income are limited. Visit your state’s Medicaid website for eligibility and enrollment information.