Xifaxan (rifaximin) is a brand-name tablet that’s prescribed for travelers’ diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and a liver condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Xifaxan has a savings program.

Xifaxan belongs to a drug class called antibiotics. It’s not available in a generic version.

Read on to learn about Xifaxan and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Xifaxan, refer to this article.

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

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

To find out what the cost of Xifaxan 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 Xifaxan. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Xifaxan 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 Xifaxan requires prior authorization.

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

What does Xifaxan cost without insurance?

It depends. The cost of Xifaxan without insurance can vary based on the pharmacy you use.

Additionally, Xifaxan’s cost may depend on the condition it’s prescribed to treat. Xifaxan can be used to treat travelers’ diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and a liver condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. The dosage your doctor prescribes will be specific to the condition Xifaxan is being used to treat. This can affect the drug’s cost.

For more information on the dosage your doctor may prescribe for your condition, see this article. If you have questions about how much Xifaxan will cost without insurance, talk with your pharmacist.

Does Xifaxan 550 mg cost more than Xifaxan 200 mg?

It’s possible. The cost of Xifaxan’s 550-milligram (mg) or 200-mg tablet will depend on your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance, it may depend on the pharmacy you use. However, it’s likely that Xifaxan’s 550-mg tablets will cost more than the 200-mg tablets. This is because the 550-mg strength contains more of the active drug than the 200-mg one.

To compare the prices of Xifaxan’s different strengths, talk with your insurance provider or your pharmacist.

Is Xifaxan covered by Medicare?

It’s possible. Whether Medicare covers Xifaxan may depend your prescription drug plan (PDP).

If you have questions about coverage, reach out to your insurance provider.

Xifaxan is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t 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 need financial support to pay for Xifaxan, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • The Xifaxan Savings Card is available from the drug’s manufacturer. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 866-XIFAXAN (866-943-2926). You can also 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.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Xifaxan, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Xifaxan. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Xifaxan.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.