Why is Linzess for IBS & Constipation Still So Expensive?
speciality medications
American adults with chronic constipation or IBS may need to take Linzess, an effective constipation relief medication.
The problem? Linzess isn’t cheap. (Many Americans spend thousands of dollars on Linzess per year.)
Why is Linzess so expensive? Is there a Linzess generic – and is there a way to reduce your Linzess costs?
We’ll answer these questions and more in this helpful resource.
Why Does Linzess Cost So Much?
We’ll start with the basis.
Linzess (linaclotide) is a medication that doctors usually prescribe to treat two conditions: Chronic idiopathic constipation (or CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).
This medication is meant for adults, it belongs to a class of medications called “guanylate cyclase-C agonists,” and it also goes by the brand name Constella (mainly in Canada).
Linzess increases intestinal fluid secretion and helps promote bowel movements. As a result, people who take Linzess usually enjoy relief from their constipation – or improved symptoms of IBS-C.
Patients take Linzess once daily, usually 30 minutes before breakfast, on an empty stomach.
Does Linzess Work Well?
Fortunately for people with constipation or IBS, Linzess does work well.
In clinical studies, researchers have reported that Linzess can increase the rate at which people experience bowel movements, lessen abdominal pain, and help people relieve discomfort and bloating.
In a pair of clinical trials involving over 1600 adult IBS patients, study participants who took Linzess instead of a placebo had more complete spontaneous bowel movements per week.
We see these benefits anecdotally, too: Many patients who take Linzess report satisfaction after initiating treatment with the drug. (Note that this does not necessarily mean that Linzess will work for you – it’s important to work with a healthcare provider and monitor your own symptoms closely to determine whether Linzess is a good fit.)
In the world of prescription medications, a drug’s efficacy can be a blessing and a curse – specifically, as a drug’s effectiveness relates to its cost.
How Much Does Linzess Cost?
In America, a 30-count bottle of Linzess can retail for as much as $576.00. That’s over $19.00 per tablet!
If you need to take Linzess for the foreseeable future, buying it at that price means you’ll be spending nearly $7,000.00 on this one medication yearly.
That amount will only fit in a few American household budgets. Even if you have insurance, Linzess may not be on your plan’s list of covered medications. Many very expensive medications are not. And, if you do have coverage, there’s no guarantee your insurance plan won’t decide to rescind coverage of your required medications at any time, with little warning.
It’s a much better idea to find a reliably low-cost way to buy Linzess on your own.
One option? Buy your Linzess from a reputable online Canadian pharmacy and international drugstore.
Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy 30 capsules of Linzess for around $160.00, or about $5.30 per dose. That’s up to 72% in savings!
That’s great, but it does beg the question: Why is Linzess’s original cost so high?
One of the reasons Linzess costs so much is because it works well and is therefore in high demand.
That’s not the only factor fueling high Linzess costs, though.
Why Does Linzess Cost So Much?
Here are just a few of the factors contributing to Linzess’s high cost:
Limited competition. While there are other IBS and constipation drugs on the market, few work in precisely the same way (or as well) as Linzess does. And, once patients find a medication that consistently relieves their IBS, they tend to stick with that medication – which only solidifies Linzess’s reputation in the market.
Patent protection. Under the United States patent system, after a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it can apply for a patent to be the only company legally able to make that drug.
Under that patent protection, the company can charge what they want for their drug, because they know no one else can make a cheaper version to challenge their sales. The patent for Linzess doesn’t expire until late 2026 at the earliest, so it’ll be a while before we see generic, lower-cost versions of the drug.
Research and development costs. When producing a new drug, companies spend millions before they can bring that drug to market. These companies price their drugs accordingly to make all that money back, effectively passing their expensive R&D costs down to the consumer and then tack on an exorbitant profit which is what really skyrockets the cost.
Marketing expenses. Pharmaceutical companies also spend an incredible amount of money on advertising and marketing.
(Think about it: When did you last sit through a commercial break that didn’t feature at least one medication ad?)
Again, to recoup those costs, these companies price their drugs sky-high to pass expenses to the end user (you).
The lack of government regulation. In the United States, the government is not allowed to control the way pharmaceutical companies price their offerings. This is relatively unique to the States. The result? Rapidly increasing drug prices, a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon.
All of these factors combine to make high drug costs seemingly inescapable. If you require Linzess to manage your constipation or IBS symptoms, it’s time to find a better way.
What to Do About Linzess Costs (How to Save Big)
Since it’s going to be a while before we see generic Linzess on the market, here are a few ways to consider seeking lower Linzess costs:
See if you qualify for the Linzess savings program. Linzess’s manufacturer offers a savings card geared to make Linzess more affordable for the select group of people who qualify for this service. Your doctor can help you determine if you’re eligible or have a good chance of receiving aid.
Shop around. Did you know that different pharmacies offer the same drugs at vastly different price points? For example, the pharmacy that’s conveniently down the street from your home may have higher prices than the pharmacy in your grocery store.
It may be worth investigating to see where you can get Linzess for the lowest possible price and especially from safe online pharmacies.
Shop online. If you’re not interested in driving around to different pharmacies or calling several on the phone to ask about their pricing strategies, a more accessible strategy may involve online shopping.
See if you can find an online pharmacy website that provides updated medication guides and transparent pricing information to visitors within one or two clicks and go from there.
Shop internationally. Above, we noted that one of the reasons United States drug prices are so high is the lack of government pharmaceutical price regulation. By purchasing your medication through pharmacies that source their medications outside of the United States, you can usually find the same brand of prescription medication product for far, far less than what’s possible Stateside.
This does beg one pertinent question.
Is It Safe to Buy Linzess for Less Through an Internet Drugstore Internationally?
If buying medication online causes visions of poor quality products, counterfeit medications, or even dangerously substandard drugs to dance through your head, you’re not alone.
And you’re likely exercising due caution. After all, with something as personal and important as your IBS medication, you need to make sure what you’re buying is both safe and effective.
It’s important to remember that there’s a big difference between buying something online through a professional, verified online pharmacy site you can trust and one that’s clearly a sketchier option.
As long as you research and select sites that are trusted, certified, and demonstrably safe, you can buy prescription medications such as Linzess at steep savings by opting for international drugstores (such as an online Canadian drugs and pharmacy website).
Here are the top three things to look for when vetting a prospective Canadian online pharmacy website:
Prescription requirements. Prescriptions are important for a reason! The pharmacy site you select should require and review prescriptions before allowing you to purchase prescription-only products.
Customer testimonials. One of the best ways to know whether you’ll have a good experience with an online pharmacy is to learn from other customer experiences. See whether the site you’re considering has consistently great reviews, and read several as you make your decision.
Third-party certification from a trusted source. As great as positive customer reviews are, it helps to know that a source with industry expertise and authority also condones your chosen pharmacy.
Sites like the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) have that authority, and use it to maintain a streamlined list of select sites that meet the organization’s high standards for safety and quality.
Once you’ve identified an online drugstore you trust, buying the Linzess you need (and saving big!) should be a breeze.
But what if you’re not quite sure that Linzess is the medication for you?
Are There Alternatives to Linzess?
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome or chronic idiopathic constipation can turn to medications other than Linzess for relief.
Depending on your condition, the other medications you take, and your health goals, your doctor may be able to help you determine whether any of these Linzess alternatives are good options for you:
- Amitiza (lubiprostone), a treatment that alleviates IBS-C and CIC by increasing intestinal fluid secretion;
- Trulance (plecanatide), a treatment for adults with CIC that helps increase the frequency of bowel movements; or
- Motegrity (prucalopride), a constipation medication that can help treat adults who do not know precisely why they have long-term constipation.
Unfortunately, much like Linzess, the costs for these prescription medications can be quite high. You may be able to access lower prices if you buy your meds through an online Canadian pharmacy and international drugstore.
Lowering Linzess Costs: A Helpful FAQ
In our years of connecting American patients with lower Linzess costs, we’ve fielded many questions about the subject! Here’s a quick roundup of the most frequent questions our team tackles:
How Much Does Linzess Cost for American Patients?
American patients may pay well over $550.00 monthly for a 30-count supply of Linzess. Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy the same amount of brand-name Linzess for about $160.00 – up to 72% in savings.
Can I Use Prescription Discount Cards or Coupons for Linzess?
If you can find prescription discount cards or coupons for Linzess, you may be able to use them – but, usually, you need to be eligible to use these resources, or these discount methods only work for a limited time.
It’s a better strategy to find a long-term, reliable way of buying the prescription medication you need.
Does Insurance Coverage Affect the Cost of Linzess?
Your insurance plan may cover Linzess. It also may not! Many insurance companies don’t cover expensive medications, preferring to cover only generic or more affordable treatments instead.
If Linzess works best for you, you don’t want to be limited by your coverage. An online Canadian pharmacy can help you find a long-term way to get the medication you need.
Looking for Lower Linzess Costs? We Can Help
If you’re interested in buying your Linzess through our Canadian drugs site and international drugstore to benefit from reliably-low prices and simple ordering processes, we’re excited to help!
Here’s all you need to know:
- Have your doctor write you an updated prescription for Linzess or the constipation drug you need.
- Ask your doctor to send the prescription to your online Canadian pharmacy or obtain a copy so you can upload it to the site yourself.
- Locate the medication you need on the pharmacy website, click “add to cart,” and check out through the site’s private payment portal.
Interested in placing your order over the phone? Call our friendly, responsive customer service team, and we’ll gladly assist. The team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare needs!
