Amitiza's High Price Tag

why is amitiza so expensive

Amitiza (lubiprostone) is an expensive drug used to treat chronic constipation, constipation caused by opioid pain medicine, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is a brand-name medication that works by increasing fluid in the intestines, making it easier to pass stool. The retail price of Amitiza is $469.32 for 60, 24mcg capsules. There is currently no generic version of this drug available on the market, which is one of the reasons for its high price. The high cost of Amitiza can be a burden for many patients, especially those without insurance.

Characteristics Values
Drug Name Amitiza
Generic Name Lubiprostone
Drug Type Chloride Channel Activator
Used To Treat Chronic Constipation, Constipation Caused by Opioid Pain Medicine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dosage 8mcg, 24mcg
Retail Price $469.32 for 60, 24mcg Capsule
Price with SingleCare Coupon $200.38 for 60, 24mcg Capsule

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Amitiza is expensive because there is no generic alternative

Amitiza is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in females, and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in people taking opioid drugs for long-lasting pain that is not related to cancer. It is a type of drug called a chloride channel activator and is the only drug in the chloride channel activators class. It increases fluid in the intestines, which helps pass stool. It is not a stool softener, a type of fibre, or a traditional laxative.

Amitiza is only available as a brand-name medication. It contains the drug lubiprostone, which is not currently available in generic form. The retail price of Amitiza is $469.32 for 60, 24mcg capsules. The high price of Amitiza is due to the lack of generic alternatives.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc, the manufacturer of Amitiza, offers an Amitiza Savings Card for eligible people with commercial insurance. They also offer a financial assistance program called Help at Hand for eligible patients within the United States who have little or no insurance to cover their prescription costs.

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It costs $469.32 for 60, 24MCG capsules

Amitiza (lubiprostone) is a laxative used to treat chronic constipation, constipation caused by opioids, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in women. It is the only drug in the chloride channel activators class and is available in two strengths: 8mcg and 24mcg. The recommended dosage for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is 24mcg twice daily, while for IBS-C, it is 8mcg twice daily. The retail price of Amitiza is $469.32 for 60, 24mcg capsules, which is significantly higher than other IBS medications. This high cost is due to the lack of regulation on drug prices in the United States, allowing pharmaceutical companies to charge high prices.

Amitiza is only available as a brand-name medication, and there are currently no generic alternatives. This means that consumers have to bear the high cost of the drug, which can be a burden for many, even with health insurance. However, there are savings programs and coupons available that can help reduce the cost of Amitiza. For example, the GoodRx coupon offers a 90% discount, bringing the price down to $36.71. Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Amitiza, also offers an Amitiza Savings Card and a financial assistance program called Help at Hand for eligible individuals.

Amitiza is an effective treatment for constipation, providing rapid relief in clinical studies. It has been shown to increase the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements and improve constipation-related complaints. It is generally well-tolerated, with mild to moderate side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. However, it is important to note that Amitiza is not suitable for everyone and should be used with caution in certain medical conditions, such as bowel blockage and severe diarrhea.

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It is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans

Amitiza is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans. The insured cost of Amitiza varies across insurance plans. If you're underinsured, you can sign up to use a SingleCare savings card to fill your Amitiza prescription at a discounted price that could be cheaper than your insurance copay. Amitiza costs $200.38 for 60, 24MCG Capsule of generic Amitiza with SingleCare. Ask your local pharmacist to review your copay with insurance versus SingleCare to save on your next refill.

Medicare typically covers Amitiza. The average copay depends on your Medicare plan, but ranges from $19 to $427. Many SingleCare customers have reportedly saved more on their prescription drugs when using their card over Medicare and other insurance plans. That's because the cash price of prescription drugs is sometimes cheaper than what your insurance offers. Apply one of the free coupons on top of that already-low price to get maximum savings.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals offers a savings card as well. This is essentially an Amitiza manufacturer coupon that some patients use to save money. Some manufacturer coupons can be limited by time or a certain dollar amount, so don't forget to read the fine print.

If you're in need of additional financial assistance, you might qualify for Help at Hand, which is an Amitiza patient assistance program offered by Takeda Pharmaceuticals as well. Help at Hand gives assistance to eligible patients within the United States who have little or no insurance to cover their prescription costs.

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It is not suitable for children

Amitiza is not suitable for children because it hasn't been found to be either safe or effective for treating constipation in children. In a clinical study of children aged 6 to 17 years, Amitiza was not found to be effective in treating constipation.

Amitiza is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat three types of constipation in adults: chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in females, and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in people taking opioid drugs for long-lasting pain that is not related to cancer.

Amitiza is a type of drug called a chloride channel activator. It increases fluid in the intestines, which helps pass stool. It is not a stool softener, a type of fibre, or a traditional laxative.

The dosage and prescription of Amitiza depend on several factors, including the type and severity of the constipation being treated, as well as other medical conditions the patient may have. It is typically taken twice a day with food and water and should be taken for as long as the doctor recommends.

The retail price of Amitiza is $469.32 for 60, 24MCG capsules. However, there are ways to save money on the medication, such as using coupons or savings cards.

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Amitiza is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, and opioid-induced constipation in adults. It is not recommended for people with severe diarrhea.

Amitiza is a type of drug called a chloride channel activator. It increases the secretion of fluid in the intestines, making it easier to pass stools. It is typically taken twice a day with food and water.

If you have severe diarrhea, you should not take Amitiza as it can make it worse. It may also cause low blood pressure and fainting, and diarrhea increases the risk of these side effects. It is important to stop taking Amitiza and consult a doctor if you experience severe diarrhea or other side effects such as severe nausea, trouble breathing, or a light-headed feeling.

Amitiza is not recommended for use in children as it has not been found to be safe or effective for treating constipation in this age group. It is also not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as it may have undesirable effects on the fetus or a nursing infant.

Amitiza is only available as a brand-name medication and does not have a generic alternative, which may contribute to its high cost.

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Frequently asked questions

Amitiza is a brand-name medication with no generic alternative on the market. It is also a prescription drug, which means that the price is not determined by supply and demand.

The retail price of Amitiza is $469.32 for 60, 24mcg capsules. However, with insurance, Amitiza costs between $19 and $427.

You can use coupons or savings cards from companies like GoodRx or SingleCare to save up to 90% on the average retail price of Amitiza. You can also contact the manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, to see if you are eligible for their patient assistance program, Help at Hand.

Yes, there are several alternative medications to Amitiza. These include:

- Plecanatide (Trulance)

- Linaclotide (Linzess)

- Prucalopride (Motegrity)

- Bisacodyl (Ducodyl, Dulcolax, Fleet Bisacodyl, GoodSense Bisacodyl EC)

- Senna (Ex-Lax, Geri-kot, GoodSense Laxative Pills, Senekot, SennaCon, Senna Lax)

- Polyethylene glycol (GlycoLax, MiraLAX)

- Lactulose (Constulose, Enulose, Generlac, Kristalose)

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