Ibsrela (tenapanor) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.

As with all medications, the cost of Ibsrela can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Ibsrela has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

To find out what the cost of Ibsrela will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Ibsrela prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Ibsrela.

How does Ibsrela’s cost compare with Linzess?

The price you pay for Ibsrela versus the price of Linzess depends on various factors. (Linzess is used to treat IBS-C and other types of constipation.)

For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Ibrela is available as an oral tablet and Linzess comes as an oral capsule. The cost of the tablet may differ compared with the cost of the capsule.

Other factors that can affect your prescription cost, include:

  • the length of your treatment
  • whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)
  • whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance

To learn more about the cost of Ibsrela versus Linzess, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can help determine whether Ibsrela, Linzess, or another alternative may be the best treatment option for your IBS-C.

How much does Ibsrela cost with insurance?

If you have insurance, your cost for Ibsrela depends on factors such as:

  • your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
  • your dosage of the drug
  • how long you take Ibsrela
  • whether you apply and qualify for a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

To find out how much Ibsrela will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.

Ibsrela is only available as a brand-name drug. There’s no Ibsrela generic at this time. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Ibsrela long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Ibsrela. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: Ibsrela is only dispensed at certain specialty pharmacies. This type of pharmacy is authorized to carry specialty drugs. These are drugs that may be costly or require help from healthcare professionals to be taken safely and effectively. For more details about this type of pharmacy, talk with your doctor.

If you need financial support to pay for Ibsrela, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called ArdelyxAssist is available for Ibsrela. This program has copay assistance and additional savings options for people taking Ibsrela. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-427-7352 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and take Ibsrela.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Ibsrela. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Ibsrela in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Ibsrela requires prior authorization.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.