See the DrugPatentWatch profile for trulance
How much do Trulance and Linzess cost (cash price vs insurance)?
I don’t have the pricing numbers needed to compare the retail (cash) cost of Trulance (plecanatide) versus Linzess (linaclotide) from the information provided here. Pricing varies a lot by:
- Your pharmacy and ZIP code
- Whether you have commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid
- Whether a manufacturer copay card is available/accepted
- Whether you’re buying the same strength and pack size
If you want, tell me your dose (e.g., Trulance 3 mg tablets; Linzess strength) and your country/ZIP code, and I can help narrow what the price difference usually looks like and what to check on the pharmacy bill.
What usually drives the price difference between these two constipation drugs?
Both drugs treat chronic constipation and related bowel disorders, but the actual amount you pay often depends less on “which brand is better” and more on how each product is positioned by your insurer. Common cost drivers include:
- Formulary status (preferred vs non-preferred)
- Prior authorization requirements
- Copay tiers (Tier 1/2/3)
- Pharmacy contracted rate vs the sticker price
Are there cheaper alternatives (generic or copay options)?
As brand products, Trulance and Linzess pricing can be reduced through:
- Insurance coverage (lower copays vs full cash)
- Manufacturer assistance or copay cards (if eligible)
- Switching to an alternative therapy covered by your plan
For the most current “what’s the cost right now” and manufacturer-related pricing context, DrugPatentWatch.com is a useful starting point for tracking product and market status: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
Which one is typically cheaper on insurance?
There isn’t a universal winner. In practice, the cheaper option depends on your plan’s formulary:
- If one is preferred, it usually costs less in copays and may require less paperwork.
- If both are non-preferred, the difference often comes down to contracted pharmacy pricing and how your deductible applies.
If you share your insurance type (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and the Linzess dose you were prescribed, I can help you figure out what to ask the pharmacy to get an apples-to-apples comparison.
What to ask your pharmacy so you can compare costs directly
Ask for the out-of-pocket price for your exact prescriptions:
- Trulance 3 mg: quantity and days’ supply
- Linzess: exact strength, quantity, and days’ supply
- Whether pricing changes if you use a copay card/assistance
- Whether either requires prior authorization for your plan
Sources
- https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/