FredrickHave you heard of the drug ‘linzess’ ? Linaclotide also known as linzess is used to treat certain types of bowel problems (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, chronic idiopathic constipation). It works by increasing fluid in your intestines and helping speed up movement of food through the gut. Do you know linzess pros and cons? Continue reading, in this article, linzess will be explored intensively and you will know linzess pros and cons as well.
What is Linzess?
Linzess is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:
- irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
- chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), which is constipation without a known cause
This drug works by increasing the secretion of chloride and water in the intestines, which can soften stools and stimulate bowel movements.
Linzess is a prescription medicine used used to treat chronic constipation, or chronic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in people who have had constipation as the main symptom.
Drug (Linzess) details
Linzess belongs to a class of medications called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. It comes as an oral capsule. Linzess is available in strengths of 72 micrograms (mcg), 145 mcg, and 290 mcg.
Proper Use of Linzess
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast or the first meal of the day.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may mix the contents with applesauce or water.
- To mix with applesauce: Open the capsule and sprinkle the beads on 1 teaspoonful of applesauce in a clean container. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not store the mixture for future use.
- To mix with water: Pour 30 mL (1 ounce) of water into a clean cup. Open the capsule and sprinkle the beads into the cup. Swirl the bead-water mixture for at least 20 seconds. Swallow the mixture right away. If there are beads remaining in the cup, you may repeat the same procedure. Do not store the mixture for future use.
- You may also take the bead-water mixture using a nasogastric or gastric feeding tube. After the mixture is given, flush the tube with an additional 10 mL (2 teaspoons) of water.
Dosing of Linzess
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For chronic idiopathic constipation:
- Adults—145 micrograms (mcg) once a day. Some patients may need 72 mcg once a day.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- For irritable bowel syndrome with constipation:
- Adults—290 micrograms (mcg) once a day.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- For chronic idiopathic constipation:
Linzess Pros and Cons
Linzess, like any other drug has it own pros and cons . We will discuss linzess Pros and cons in this section.
Pros of Linzess
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Linzess to treat certain conditions. Linzess may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
Linzess is approved to treat a digestive condition called irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). The drug is for use in adults. IBS-C causes constipation along with other symptoms such as:
- bloating
- abdominal pain or cramping
- gas
- feeling like you need to use the bathroom after a bowel movement
Effectiveness for IBS-C
Linzess is an effective treatment option for adults with IBS-C. In fact, treatment guidelines from the American Journal of Gastroenterology recommend guanylate cyclase-C agonists, such as Linzess, as options for IBS-C. For information about how Linzess performed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Linzess for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC)
Linzess is approved to treat a digestive condition called chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). With CIC, you’re frequently constipated for an unknown reason. “Chronic” means long term, and “idiopathic” means the cause isn’t known.
Symptoms of CIC can include experiencing the following within a 3-month period:
- passing stools that are lumpy, hard, or like pebbles
- having fewer than three bowel movements per week
- having trouble emptying your bowels
Effectiveness for CIC
Linzess is an effective medication for adults with CIC. In fact, the drug is mentioned as a treatment option for people with CIC in guidelines from The American Journal of Managed Care. For information about how Linzess performed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Cons of Linzess
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Severe diarrhea
- stomach pain
Less common
- Heartburn
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
Incidence not known
- Bleeding from the rectum
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- chest tightness
- confusion
- cough
- decreased urination
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- hives or welts, itching, skin rash or redness
- increase in heart rate
- large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- lightheadedness
- loss of bowel control
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
- rapid breathing
- sunken eyes
- thirst
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- wrinkled skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Body aches or pain
- chills
- ear congestion
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- fever
- full or bloated feeling
- headache
- loss of voice
- passing gas
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- indigestion
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- pressure in the stomach
- stomach discomfort or upset
- swelling of the stomach area
Other linzess pros and cons not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Storage
Store in the original container at room temperature away from light and moisture. To help protect from moisture, keep the desiccant in the tightly closed container. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Common questions about Linzess
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Linzess apart from its pros and cons.
Is Linzess prescribed for weight loss or weight gain?
No, Linzess is not approved for weight loss or weight gain. In the drug’s studies, the reported side effects did not include any changes in weight.
However, Linzess may cause diarrhea, which can be severe at times. Having diarrhea over an extended period may lead to weight loss.
In addition, abdominal distension (also known as bloating) is a side effect of Linzess. It’s possible for bloating to cause weight gain.
If you’re interested in help with weight loss or weight gain, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you.
Does Linzess cause depression?
Linzess isn’t known to cause depression. This side effect was not reported in clinical trials of people who took the drug.
It’s possible that other medications used to treat IBS-C or CIC may cause mood changes, such as depression. Examples of these medications include prucalopride (Motegrity) and lubiprostone (Amitiza).
You may also be at an increased risk of developing depression due to IBS-C or CIC. This is because of possible emotional effects of the conditions, such as feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable.
If you’d like to learn about depression and potential treatments while taking Linzess, talk with your doctor.
Is Linzess a controlled substance?
No, Linzess is not a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a medication that the government regulates, typically because of the risk of misuse or dependence.
Misuse refers to taking a medication in a different way than how it was prescribed. Dependence occurs when your body becomes used to taking a drug, and then you need it to function as you usually do.
Linzess is not known to cause misuse or dependence.
Is Linzess a laxative?
No. Linzess is not a laxative. Like Linzess, laxatives can help relieve constipation, but they work in different ways than Linzess. Laxatives help loosen stool so you don’t strain as much when having a bowel movement. In addition, laxatives may help bowel movements occur more often. Examples of laxatives include:
- polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)
- docusate (Colace)
- bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia)
- senna (Senokot)
Laxatives are usually a short-term treatment, while Linzess is typically taken long term.
Linzess works by increasing the amount of fluid in your intestines. The drug also helps food move more quickly through your digestive tract. In addition, Linzess may ease pain in your digestive system. For more information, see the section below called “How Linzess works.”
Should I expect nausea with Linzess?
Nausea was not a side effect reported in clinical trials of people who took Linzess. However, nausea has been reported since the drug came on the market.
You may be nauseous due to the constipation you experience from IBS-C or CIC. Nausea is a symptom of constipation.
Your doctor may be able to suggest possible treatments for any nausea you have.
Alternatives to Linzess
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition, including brand-name and generic alternatives. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Linzess, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.
Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Alternatives for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation include:
- plecanatide (Trulance)
- lubiprostone (Amitiza)
- tegaserod (Zelnorm)
- polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)
- sennosides (Senokot)
- bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
Alternatives for chronic idiopathic constipation
Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation include:
- plecanatide (Trulance)
- lubiprostone (Amitiza)
- polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)
- sennosides (Senokot)
- bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- prucalopride (Motegrity)
What to ask your doctor
As with most drugs, Linzess may cause side effects in some people. Some of the most common side effects of Linzess are mild and can be managed with over-the-counter treatments. Others can be more serious. If you have questions about your risk of certain side effects from Linzess, talk with your doctor.
Here are a few examples of questions to ask your doctor:
Fredrick
