Price Comparison: Linzess vs Amitiza
Amitiza (lubiprostone) costs approximately $374 per month, while Linzess (linaclotide) costs approximately $523 per month, making Amitiza about $149 cheaper per month than Linzess. 1
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Monthly Medication Costs
- Amitiza (lubiprostone): $374/month for the standard dose of 24 mcg twice daily 1
- Linzess (linaclotide): $523/month for doses ranging from 72-290 mcg once daily 1
Important Cost Considerations
The price difference becomes more nuanced when considering total healthcare costs. Recent real-world evidence from Medicare populations demonstrates that despite higher medication costs, linaclotide may be associated with lower overall healthcare expenditures due to reduced healthcare resource utilization 2. Patients receiving linaclotide had significantly lower adjusted all-cause total costs of care at 12 months compared to lubiprostone, primarily driven by lower medical costs 2.
An economic evaluation found linaclotide to be less expensive overall ($946 vs $1,015) when accounting for treatment failures and associated costs over 4 weeks. 3 This suggests that the higher upfront medication cost may be offset by better treatment outcomes and fewer downstream healthcare costs 3.
Clinical Context for Cost-Effectiveness
Both medications have similar efficacy profiles but different side effect patterns that may impact overall costs. 4 Lubiprostone carries the highest risk of nausea, while linaclotide has the highest risk of diarrhea 4. These adverse effects can lead to treatment discontinuation and additional healthcare visits, affecting total cost of care 1, 5.
For patients requiring treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation or IBS-C, the medication cost alone favors Amitiza, but total healthcare costs may favor Linzess when considering the complete picture of care. 2
Practical Implications
- Patients paying out-of-pocket will find Amitiza approximately 28% less expensive per month based on medication cost alone 1
- Insurance coverage and copay structures will significantly impact actual patient costs
- The cost estimates provided are approximate and may vary based on pharmacy, insurance, and geographic location 1
- Generic availability is not mentioned in the guidelines for either medication at these price points 1