Can you get linzess over the counter

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.

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 Using

In 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:

Allergies

Tell 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.

Pediatric

This 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.

Geriatric

Although 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.

Breastfeeding

There 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 Interactions

Although 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 Interactions

Certain 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 Problems

The 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:

  • Stomach or bowel blockage, or history of—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

Proper Use

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

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.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep 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.

Precautions

It 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

  1. Severe diarrhea
  2. stomach pain

Less common

  1. Heartburn
  2. loss of appetite
  3. nausea
  4. vomiting
  5. weakness

Incidence not known

  1. Bleeding from the rectum
  2. bloody, black, or tarry stools
  3. chest tightness
  4. confusion
  5. cough
  6. decreased urination
  7. difficulty swallowing
  8. dizziness
  9. dry mouth
  10. fainting
  11. fast heartbeat
  12. hives or welts, itching, skin rash or redness
  13. increase in heart rate
  14. large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  15. lightheadedness
  16. loss of bowel control
  17. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
  18. rapid breathing
  19. sunken eyes
  20. thirst
  21. trouble breathing
  22. unusual tiredness or weakness
  23. 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

  1. Body aches or pain
  2. chills
  3. ear congestion
  4. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  5. fever
  6. full or bloated feeling
  7. headache
  8. loss of voice
  9. passing gas
  10. sneezing
  11. sore throat
  12. stuffy or runny nose

Less common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. belching
  3. indigestion
  4. pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  5. pressure in the stomach
  6. stomach discomfort or upset
  7. swelling of the stomach area

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.