Linzess: Safe Or Habit-Forming?

Linzess (generic name: linaclotide) is a prescription drug used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). While it is not psychologically addicting, Linzess may be habit-forming in that long-term use may cause the intestines to become dependent on the medication for waste elimination. Side effects of the drug include abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhoea, and in rare cases, more serious complications such as renal failure, seizures, and strokes.

Linzess side effects

Linzess (generic name linaclotide) is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is also approved to treat functional constipation (FC) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years.

Linzess is not a laxative. It works by increasing the production of water and chloride in the intestines, promoting the movement of waste and food through the gastrointestinal system, and suppressing pain signals in the intestines.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effect of Linzess is diarrhea, which often begins within the first two weeks of treatment. It is typically mild but can sometimes be severe. Other common side effects include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal distension (swelling or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen)
• Gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dehydration and weakness due to chronic diarrhea
• Dizziness or fainting
• Inability to control bowels
• Sneezing, sore throat, congestion

Less Common Side Effects

In clinical trials, less common side effects were reported by a smaller percentage of patients taking Linzess. These included:

• Black, tarry stools or stools containing blood (requires emergency treatment)
• Infections, such as intestinal or respiratory infections
• Mild allergic reaction
• Severe allergic reaction (requires immediate medical treatment)
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Hair changes (greasy/oily hair)

Long-Term Side Effects

At this time, no long-term side effects have been reported with Linzess. Side effects that occurred during clinical trials only happened while patients were taking the medication. However, long-term use of Linzess may lead to intestinal muscles forgetting how to move stools through the intestines, resulting in dependence on the medication for bowel movements.

Side Effects in Children

Linzess is approved for use in children aged 6 years and older for the treatment of functional constipation. In clinical trials, the most common side effect in children was diarrhea. Nausea, dehydration, and abdominal discomfort were also reported.

Linzess has a boxed warning about the risk of serious dehydration in children younger than 2 years old. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is not recommended for children under 6 due to a lack of research on its effects in this age group.

Linzess for IBS

Linzess (generic name: linaclotide) is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is also used to treat functional constipation (FC) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years.

Linzess is a once-daily pill that helps to relieve belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms (including pain, discomfort, and bloating) associated with IBS-C. It is not a laxative but a drug that works differently from other medications. It acts locally in the intestine and is thought to work in two ways: by calming pain-sensing nerves and accelerating bowel movements.

When taken daily, Linzess typically provides constipation relief within about a week. IBS-C patients may begin to experience relief from belly pain and other abdominal symptoms within the same timeframe, with symptoms usually improving over 12 weeks. If you stop taking Linzess, your symptoms will likely return within 7 to 10 days.

Linzess can cause serious side effects, including severe diarrhea, which is the most common side effect. Other common side effects include gas, abdominal pain, swelling, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen. It is important to note that Linzess may also cause other rare but serious side effects, such as black or tarry stools, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, dizziness, and fainting.

Linzess is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, and its safety and effectiveness have not been established in children under 18 years of age with IBS-C or FC. Pregnant women should also not take Linzess, as it is unknown whether it will harm the unborn baby.

Linzess for constipation

Linzess (linaclotide) is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults, as well as functional constipation (FC) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17. It is not known if Linzess is safe and effective in children with functional constipation under the age of six or in children with IBS-C under the age of 18.

Linzess is not a laxative but a once-daily pill that can help proactively manage symptoms of IBS-C and CIC, including belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and bloating associated with IBS-C. It is thought to work by calming pain-sensing nerves and accelerating bowel movements. When taken daily, constipation relief is typically felt within about a week, with symptoms improving over 12 weeks.

Linzess should be taken every day, at least 30 minutes before the first meal, preferably around the same time each day. It is important to take Linzess as directed by a doctor. If you stop taking the medication, your symptoms may return within a week.

Linzess may cause multiple side effects, including abdominal pain and cramping, moderate to severe diarrhea, black or tarry stools, nausea, dehydration, dizziness, and more. It is not recommended for pregnant women or children under the age of 17.

Linzess for children

Linzess (generic name: linaclotide) is a prescription medicine used to treat functional constipation (FC) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years old. It is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for paediatric functional constipation and is not a laxative. It is not known if Linzess is safe and effective in children under 6 years of age or in children under 18 years of age with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Linzess should not be given to children under 2 years of age as it may cause severe diarrhoea and fatal dehydration in this age group.

Linzess is taken once a day, at the same time every day, with or without food. It is recommended that it is taken at least 30 minutes before a meal. If a child has trouble swallowing capsules, the Linzess capsule can be opened, and the beads can be sprinkled onto applesauce or into 1 oz. (30ml) of water.

Linzess can cause serious side effects, including diarrhoea, which is often severe and begins within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Other common side effects include gas, stomach pain, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen.

If a child misses a dose of Linzess, the next dose should be taken as usual the following day. Two doses should not be taken at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Linzess alternatives

Linzess (generic name linaclotide) is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is categorised as a guanylate cyclase-C agonist and works by increasing the movement of food and waste through the intestines.

There are several alternative prescription medications available to treat IBS-C or CIC. These include:

• Trulance (plecanatide): Trulance is a newer drug that can be taken with or without food. It is also a guanylate cyclase-C agonist, but it has a different generic name and active ingredient to Linzess. It is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
• Amitiza (lubiprostone): Amitiza is in a drug class called chloride channel activators and is approved to treat CIC in adults, IBS-C in women aged 18 and older, and opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic non-cancer pain.
• Bentyl (dicyclomine): Bentyl is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Kristalose (lactulose powder for solution): Kristalose is used to treat chronic constipation.
• Lactulose (oral solution): Lactulose is an osmotic laxative used to treat chronic constipation. It is available in solution form or as a powder that is mixed with water.
• Motegrity (prucalopride): Motegrity is a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist used to treat CIC in adults.
• Zelnorm (tegaserod): Zelnorm is a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist used to treat IBS-C in adult women under 65. It is not approved for use in men.

In addition to prescription medications, there are also natural alternatives to Linzess, such as over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives, as well as dietary and lifestyle modifications.

Frequently asked questions