Linzess

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Philip Ngo, PharmD
Updated on June 27, 2024

Linzess is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for certain types of constipation. Linzess is not available in a generic version. The cost of Linzess with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Linzess to treat:

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation in adults
• chronic (long-term) constipation without a known cause in adults
• functional constipation in children ages 6 to 17 years

Read on to learn about Linzess and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Linzess, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

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Cost of Linzess

Like other medications, the cost of Linzess can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity prescribed

To find out how much Linzess costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Linzess” section.

Coupons for Linzess

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Linzess. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Linzess

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Linzess. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Linzess. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Linzess long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Linzess is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) The active ingredient in Linzess is linaclotide.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about Linzess and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Linzess.

Does Medicare cover Linzess?

Possibly. There are several types of Medicare plans. If you have a Medicare Part D prescription plan, it’s likely that your plan will cover Linzess. But this depends on your specific plan.

Talk with a representative if you have questions about the details of your prescription plan. The customer service phone number can be found on the back of your prescription card. You may also be able to find a list of covered medications on your prescription plan’s website.

How much does Linzess cost per month?

It depends. Several factors determine the cost per month of Linzess. Examples of these factors include:

• whether you’re paying for the medication with or without insurance
• your specific insurance plan, which determines your copay amount
• the pharmacy you use
• whether you’re using a coupon or an assistance program

If your doctor prescribes Linzess, they’ll likely send the prescription straight to your pharmacy. Before you pick up the prescription, contact the pharmacy to find out what the cost will be. If the cost seems high, confirm that the pharmacy billed your insurance plan.

If you cannot afford the medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend an alternative or suggest ways to save on Linzess.

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Linzess (linaclotide) capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/202811s021lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.