This article describes possible side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule. You can explore this overview article to learn more about lubiprostone, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Lubiprostone oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Amitiza.
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More common side effects of lubiprostone
Lubiprostone oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lubiprostone in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of lubiprostone
Lubiprostone may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
- abdominal pain or discomfort
- bloating
- burping
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fatigue
- gas
- headache
- indigestion
- irritation of the stomach lining
- loose stools
- nausea*
- swelling due to fluid retention
- vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lubiprostone in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with lubiprostone oral capsule. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Lubiprostone oral capsule may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of lubiprostone
Lubiprostone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from lubiprostone oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with lubiprostone.
Serious side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
- chest pain or discomfort
- heart palpitations (feeling a flutter in the chest or skipped heartbeats)
- low blood pressure, which can lead to fainting*
- mood changes, such as anxiety or depression
- severe diarrhea
- shortness of breath*
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lubiprostone in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with lubiprostone oral capsule. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
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Get free cardCommon questions about side effects of lubiprostone
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of lubiprostone compare with those seen with Linzess?
The side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule and Linzess are similar. Digestive side effects are common with both of them. These include bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Also, diarrhea is very common with these two drugs. In some cases, diarrhea can be severe and lead to dehydration. If you have severe diarrhea while taking either one of them, stop taking it and tell your doctor right away.
You can learn more about how these two drugs and their side effects compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does lubiprostone cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with lubiprostone oral capsule. In studies, specific side effects were not seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also were not reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects of lubiprostone.
Side effects of lubiprostone in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure wasn’t reported during studies of lubiprostone oral capsule. Fainting was reported during these studies, but it wasn’t common.
There have also been reports of people having low blood pressure with fainting while taking this drug. But it’s unclear how often this has happened or if lubiprostone oral capsule was the cause. In some cases, this side effect has resulted in hospitalization.
Most cases of low blood pressure and fainting happened in people taking higher doses of lubiprostone oral capsule. Sometimes, low blood pressure occurred within an hour of taking the first dose.
Certain factors can increase the risk of low blood pressure and fainting with lubiprostone oral capsule. These include taking other medications that lower blood pressure and having diarrhea or vomiting.
Ways to manage
If you experience low blood pressure or fainting, tell your doctor. They may recommend stopping lubiprostone oral capsule, especially if it happens more than once.
Nausea
In studies, nausea was very common in people taking lubiprostone oral capsule. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious. In fact, severe nausea was common in people taking the drug in studies. But no one taking lubiprostone oral capsule needed to go to the hospital because of nausea.
Nausea was the most commonly reported side effect of lubiprostone oral capsule. It was also the most common reason for stopping the drug.
Ways to manage
Taking lubiprostone oral capsule with food and water can help reduce nausea. Tell your doctor if you still have nausea even when taking lubiprostone with food.
You should also tell your doctor if you experience severe nausea. Get medical care if nausea keeps you from being able to drink fluids. Not being able to drink fluids could lead to dehydration.
Shortness of breath
In studies, shortness of breath was common in people taking lubiprostone oral capsule. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious.
Shortness of breath may occur within an hour of the first dose of lubiprostone oral capsule. It usually goes away within 3 hours. But it often happens again with the next doses.
People have described this side effect as a feeling of chest tightness or difficulty breathing.
Ways to manage
If you experience shortness of breath that doesn’t go away, tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend next steps as necessary.
Allergic reaction
For some people, lubiprostone oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.
But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to lubiprostone oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for lubiprostone
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking lubiprostone oral capsule.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take lubiprostone oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether lubiprostone oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking lubiprostone oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health history and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- current or past blockage in your stomach or intestines
- liver problems
- severe diarrhea
- past allergic reaction to lubiprostone
Lubiprostone and pregnancy
It’s not known whether lubiprostone oral capsule should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Lubiprostone and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether lubiprostone oral capsule should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Lubiprostone and alcohol
Lubiprostone oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with lubiprostone oral capsule.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start treatment?
- How do the side effects of lubiprostone oral capsule compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.