Motegrity: How Long Does It Last?

Motegrity is a prescription drug used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not to be taken by those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney problems. Motegrity has a half-life of 24 hours and will stay in the bloodstream for about 5 days after the last dose. It is to be taken once a day, with or without food.

Motegrity's side effects

Motegrity (prucalopride) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not a laxative but a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist that promotes spontaneous bowel movements. It is not approved for use in children under 18 years old.

Like most drugs, Motegrity can cause a range of side effects, from mild to severe. It is important to note that not everyone will experience the same side effects, and the severity and duration of these side effects may vary. Here are some of the commonly reported side effects:

• Mild allergic reaction: This may include symptoms such as a rash, itching, and mild swelling.
• Headache: This is one of the most common side effects, reported in up to 24.2% of patients. It typically occurs within the first 2 days of treatment and usually resolves within a few days.
• Abdominal pain or bloating: Abdominal pain is a common side effect, reported in up to 16% of patients. Bloating is also frequently reported.
• Nausea and diarrhea: These side effects often occur during the first 1 to 2 days of treatment and typically resolve within a few days. Diarrhea was reported in up to 13% of patients and usually occurred within the first week of treatment.
• Dizziness and fatigue: Dizziness is a common side effect, and fatigue or unusual tiredness has also been reported.
• Gas: Gas or excess air in the stomach or bowels is a common side effect.
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviour: Although rare, Motegrity may cause mood changes and, in some cases, lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviour. It is important to monitor for these side effects and seek medical help if they occur.

Other less common side effects include decreased appetite, back pain, influenza, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, difficulty speaking, and inability to move arms or legs.

If you experience any side effects that are bothersome, persistent, or severe, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide guidance and advice on managing these side effects.

How long does Motegrity take to work?

Motegrity is a prescription drug used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not approved for use in children. It is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2018.

Motegrity is a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist that promotes spontaneous bowel movements in patients with a certain type of constipation. It works by increasing the wave-like contractions of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to move food along in a process called peristalsis.

The drug is typically taken once a day, with or without food. It comes in tablet form and is available in two strengths: 1 mg and 2 mg. The usual dosage for CIC is 2 mg, taken once per day, which is also the maximum recommended dosage. A lower dosage may be prescribed for those with severe kidney disease.

In clinical studies, Motegrity was shown to be effective in treating CIC. Between 19% and 38% of people taking the drug had at least three bowel movements per week, and these improvements occurred within the first week of treatment. The drug was also shown to be effective when taken once daily, so it is important to take it every day as prescribed, not just on days when symptoms are experienced.

The speed at which Motegrity starts working can vary from person to person. In clinical studies, people who took Motegrity had their first bowel movement within 1.4 to 4.7 days, compared with 9.1 to 20.6 days for those taking a placebo.

It is important to note that Motegrity may cause side effects, ranging from mild to serious. Some common side effects include fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, vomiting, gas, and bloating. Serious side effects may include suicidal thoughts and behaviour, as well as new or worsening depression. If you experience any serious side effects, it is important to seek medical advice immediately.

Motegrity and pregnancy

Motegrity is a prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not approved for use in children. The active ingredient in Motegrity is prucalopride, which belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin (5-HT4) receptor agonists. These work by increasing the wave-like muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to move food along and improve impaired motility.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to tell your healthcare provider before taking Motegrity. While there is no evidence that Motegrity causes harm to unborn babies, there is also not enough data to determine its safety for use during pregnancy. Animal studies have not shown any adverse effects on fetal development, but these studies do not always reflect what will happen in humans. Therefore, it is recommended that you discuss the risks and benefits of taking Motegrity during pregnancy with your doctor.

There is a pregnancy registry for women who become pregnant while taking Motegrity, which collects information about the health of the mother and baby. Joining this registry can help healthcare professionals learn more about the safety of Motegrity during pregnancy.

Additionally, there is an ongoing study by MotherToBaby examining the use of Motegrity to treat functional constipation during pregnancy. This study aims to address the lack of information regarding the safety of Motegrity for pregnant women.

If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, it is also important to discuss this with your healthcare provider before taking Motegrity. Prucalopride, the active ingredient in Motegrity, can pass into breast milk, but it is unknown how this may affect a child who is breastfed. The manufacturer of Motegrity reports an unpublished study indicating a relatively low amount of prucalopride is passed into breast milk.

Motegrity and breastfeeding

Motegrity (prucalopride) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not approved for use in children.

If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, it is important to know that prucalopride, the active ingredient in Motegrity, can pass into your breast milk. The manufacturer of Motegrity reports an unpublished study that indicates a relatively low amount of prucalopride is passed into breast milk. However, there are no published studies on the use of prucalopride during breastfeeding, so the effects on a breastfed child are unknown.

If you are taking Motegrity and breastfeeding, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. They may suggest other treatments for your constipation while you are breastfeeding.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Motegrity include:

• Headache
• Stomach area (abdominal) pain or bloating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Fatigue

Motegrity may also cause serious side effects, including:

• Unusual changes in mood or behavior
• Thoughts of hurting yourself, trying to hurt yourself, or suicide

If you experience any of these serious side effects, stop taking Motegrity and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Dosage

The usual dosage of Motegrity for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is 2 mg taken once per day. It is important to take Motegrity every day as prescribed, not just on days when you are experiencing symptoms. Motegrity can be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose of Motegrity, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Storage

Motegrity should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). It should be kept in its original container to protect it from moisture and kept out of the reach of children.

Motegrity's drug interactions

Motegrity (prucalopride) is a prescription drug used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is not to be used by anyone under the age of 18. It is important to note that Motegrity is not a laxative but a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist that promotes spontaneous bowel movements.

Drug Interactions

It is important to inform your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Motegrity may interact with other drugs, and these interactions can change how the drug works or increase the frequency and severity of side effects.

There are 108 drugs known to interact with Motegrity, 47 of which are moderate interactions, and 61 are minor. Some of the most frequently checked interactions include Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Linzess (linaclotide), MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350), Trulance (plecanatide), Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and Zofran (ondansetron).

Additionally, there are four disease interactions with Motegrity, which include intestinal inflammation and intestinal perforation.

It is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication to ensure your safety.

Frequently asked questions