Consuming Linzess (linaclotide) at night is not recommended. The best time to take Linzess is in the morning (on an empty stomach), half an hour before breakfast. Consumption of Linzess with food may lead to several gastrointestinal side effects, including gas, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Show 2. How to take Linzess? Linzess is an oral medication (to be taken by mouth). The whole capsule is to be swallowed at once. Do not chew or break the capsules while consuming. It is recommended to consume this medicine early in the morning on an empty stomach. For better results, Linzess is generally prescribed to be taken 30 minutes before eating your first meal of the day. 3. Is Amitiza or Linzess stronger? Both Amitiza and Linzess are used for the treatment of CIC and IBS-C. They are both prescription drugs, and both have shown similar effectiveness in relieving the problems of constipation and promoting bowel movement. Amitiza capsules are available in strengths of 8 and 24 mcg. On the other hand, the Linzess capsule is consumed once a day and is available in strengths of 72, 145, and 290 mcg, respectively. 4. Can I take Linzess every other day? Yes, Linzess must be consumed every day for better work and relief. Linzess works differently than other over-the-counter laxatives (medicines that stimulate bowel movements), generally consumed as and when needed. When Linzess is used daily, one can get relief from constipation-related problems in about a week. 5. Can I take Linzess with other medications? Linzess can be safely taken with other medicines. No major interactions have been found or reported between Linzess and other medications. However, certain laxatives, including magnesium citrate, sodium phosphate, and polyethylene glycol, must be avoided while taking Linzess as they may increase the chances of having diarrhoea. Consult our experts for a better understanding of Linzess side effects, dose, precautions, and uses. 6. How long does it take for Linzess to work? As Linzess is not a laxative, it doesn't show its healing properties immediately. Most people will notice the change or feel constipation relieved only after using the medicine for at least a week. For the patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation, improvements are noticed only after taking medicine consecutively for 12 weeks. 7. How to use Linzess for weight loss? Linzess is not a weight loss medicine. However, some people who have continuously taken this medication to treat chronic constipation have experienced weight loss. The reason behind this diarrhoea: Linzess' side effect! Diarrhoea causes a lot of loss of electrolytes and water from the body, resulting in weight loss amongst patients. 8. Does Linzess make you poop? Yes, Linzess does help you poop! As this medication increases the chloride and water secretion in the intestines, it helps in softening stools and thereby stimulating bowel movements. Furthermore, it helps you in having more frequent and complete bowel movements. Simultaneously, it eases the stomach pain and discomfort in the abdominal areas like pain or bloating. 9. Is Linzess a laxative or stool softener? No, Linzess is not a laxative. Linzess softens the stools by secreting more water and chloride in the intestine and thus, stimulating bowel movements. Unlike laxatives, this medication is to be taken once daily for better constipation relief, which is observed only after one week (the time also depends on the patient's medical condition). Linaclotide is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). It works by increasing intestinal fluid secretion, which helps ease the passage of stools and relieve the symptoms of constipation. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Before UsingIn deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: AllergiesTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. PediatricThis medicine should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age because it may increase the risk of serious dehydration. Safety and efficacy have not been established in the pediatric population. GeriatricAlthough appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of linaclotide have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving this medicine. BreastfeedingThere are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Drug InteractionsAlthough certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Other InteractionsCertain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other Medical ProblemsThe presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Proper UseTake 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.
DosingThe 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.
Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. StorageKeep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep the medicine in the original bottle until you are ready to use it. The bottle contains a desiccant packet that helps to protect the capsules from moisture. Do not remove the desiccant packet from the bottle. PrecautionsIt is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Call your doctor right away if you have severe diarrhea with feeling of lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. 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
Less common
Incidence not known
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
Less common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Portions of this document last updated: Nov. 01, 2022 Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/linaclotide-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075770 Is there an over the counter version of LINZESS?OVER-THE-COUNTER TREATMENTS
Laxatives (like MiraLax®, Phillips'® Milk of Magnesia, or Dulcolax®) Fiber products (such as Metamucil®) Stool softeners (like Colace®)
How quickly does LINZESS produce a bowel movement?When LINZESS is taken daily, your constipation and abdominal symptoms may improve over time. Constipation relief is typically felt in about 1 week.
Is linaclotide available over the counter?Linaclotide is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). It works by increasing intestinal fluid secretion, which helps ease the passage of stools and relieve the symptoms of constipation. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Will LINZESS make me poop?LINZESS can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, which is the most common side effect and can sometimes be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of LINZESS treatment. Stop taking LINZESS and call your doctor right away if you get severe diarrhea during treatment with LINZESS.
|