Linzess vs Xifaxan
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Linzess
Linaclotide
Manufactured by AbbVie
Xifaxan
Rifaximin
Manufactured by Salix/Bausch
Linzess costs 64% less per claim than Xifaxan ($180.00 vs $498.00). A generic version of Linzess is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Linzess | Xifaxan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $180.00 | $498.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $876.0M | $1.2B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 580,000 | 298,000 |
| Total Claims | 4,860,000 | 2,480,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $1,510.00 | $4,141.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +6.4% | +4.8% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | AbbVie | Salix/Bausch |
| Condition | GI/Acid Reflux | GI/Acid Reflux |
| Generic Name | Linaclotide | Rifaximin |
Linzess vs Xifaxan: What the Data Shows
Linzess (Linaclotide) and Xifaxan (Rifaximin) are both used to treat gi/acid reflux. Based on Medicare Part D data, Linzess costs $180.00 per claim, which is 64% less than Xifaxan at $498.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $876.0M on Linzess and $1.2B on Xifaxan. In terms of patient reach, Linzess serves more beneficiaries (580,000 vs 298,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +6.4% for Linzess and +4.8% for Xifaxan.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Linzess is cheaper at $180.00 per claim, compared to $498.00 for Xifaxan. That makes Linzess about 64% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Linzess and Xifaxan are used to treat gi/acid reflux. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Linaclotide and generic Rifaximin can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $876.0M on Linzess covering 580,000 beneficiaries, and $1.2B on Xifaxan covering 298,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.