Linzess (linaclotide) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following digestive conditions in adults:
- chronic idiopathic constipation (constipation for an unknown reason)
- irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
For more information about Linzess’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Linzess:
- Drug form: oral capsule
- Generic version: not available
Read on to learn about Linzess and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Linzess can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Linzess has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Linzess will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Linzess. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Linzess 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 Linzess requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Linzess.
Is there a copay or coupon card for Linzess?
The manufacturer of Linzess, AbbVie, offers a Linzess Savings Program. You may be eligible for the Linzess saving card. To learn more, call 855-859-5614 or visit the program website.
You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What is the cost of Linzess with or without insurance?
The cost of prescription drugs, such as Linzess, can vary with insurance and without insurance coverage. Some drugs may not be covered by insurance even if you have an insurance plan.
Typically, prescription medications tend to cost more if you do not have insurance. Additionally, the price you pay for Linzess may be affected by other factors, such as the pharmacy you use.
If you’d like to know more about Linzess’s price with insurance and price without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How can I figure out the price of Linzess 72-mcg, 145-mcg, and 290-mcg capsules?
The price of Linzess can vary depending on whether you have health insurance and the pharmacy you use.
If you have health insurance, check with your insurance provider to see if Linzess capsules are covered. If there’s a cost, they can let you know exactly how much you’ll pay.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your pharmacist to find out the cost of Linzess. They can let you know the exact cost based on the dose and quantity of capsules your doctor has prescribed.
If you have questions about your cost of Linzess, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What’s the cost of Linzess with Medicare?
If you have Medicare, the amount you will pay for Linzess depends on your specific Medicare plan. Different Medicare plans may have different copay options.
Typically, you are not allowed to use a coupon with Medicare insurance. However, there are some instances where a coupon may be used with Medicare, so be sure and ask your pharmacist about your options.
For more information about what you pay for Linzess, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or contact your insurance provider.
For more information on Medicare, refer to the “Next Steps” section below.
If you need financial support to pay for Linzess, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called AbbVie Patient Assistance is available for Linzess. Patient assistance programs may include copay assistance or a manufacturer coupon for Linzess. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-222-6885 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. You can also refer to the “Common questions about cost and Linzess” section above for more information about copay assistance and coupon cards.
Linzess is only available as a brand-name drug. It does not come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug 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 Linzess 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 Linzess. 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.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Linzess may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Linzess, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Linzess. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Linzess.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Linzess, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Linzess and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about Linzess’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Linzess prescribing information.
- Interactions. You can find out more about what Linzess interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), see our IBS hub. And to learn more about constipation, refer to your list of constipation articles.
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.