Amitiza
Lubiprostone
Lubiprostone (loo bi PROS tone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of constipation. Lubiprostone belongs to a group of drugs called chloride channel activators.
Lubiprostone (loo bi PROS tone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of constipation. Lubiprostone belongs to a group of drugs called chloride channel activators.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 24mcg
- • 60 Capsules
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on August 17, 2023
Lubiprostone (loo bi PROS tone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of constipation. Lubiprostone belongs to a group of drugs called chloride channel activators.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lubiprostone to treat the following conditions in adults:
- chronic (long-term) constipation without a known cause
- chronic constipation caused by taking opioids (pain medications)
- irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adult females*
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Side effects
Side effects of lubiprostone
Lubiprostone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of lubiprostone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and other medications you take.
To learn more about lubiprostone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for lubiprostone listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with lubiprostone are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about lubiprostone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for lubiprostone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects bother you, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Lubiprostone oral capsule’s mild side effects include:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- headache
- nausea
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lubiprostone” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of lubiprostone are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about lubiprostone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for lubiprostone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, lubiprostone’s serious side effects include:
- severe diarrhea
- shortness of breath
- fainting
- anxiety
- depression
- low blood pressure*
- severe allergic reaction†
* This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of lubiprostone. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lubiprostone” section.
FAQs
Common questions about lubiprostone
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about lubiprostone.
What brand names are available for lubiprostone?
Amitiza is the brand-name version of lubiprostone. Lubiprostone is a generic medication.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
If you have questions about the differences between Amitiza and lubiprostone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does lubiprostone work? And how long does it take to start working?
Lubiprostone works in your intestines to treat constipation. The drug increases the activity of chloride channels. These proteins balance the amount of fluid in your intestines. By increasing the activity of these channels, lubiprostone acts to bring more fluid into your intestines. And having more fluid in your intestines promotes bowel movements and relieves constipation.
Lubiprostone begins working right away. In studies, most people who took lubiprostone had a bowel movement within 24 hours after the first dose. Some experienced relief sooner.
If you’d like to know more about lubiprostone’s mechanism of action (how it works), talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is lubiprostone similar to Linzess?
Yes, lubiprostone is similar to linaclotide (Linzess). Doctors prescribe them to treat some of the same conditions. These include chronic constipation without a known cause and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Both drugs work to bring more fluid into your intestines to treat constipation. (For details about this, refer to the question just above.)
Lubiprostone and Linzess have some different uses as well. Lubiprostone is prescribed to treat opioid-induced constipation but Linzess isn’t approved for this use. (Linzess is approved to treat functional constipation in children ages 6–17 years. This is a form of constipation with no clear cause that’s seen in children.)
Talk with your doctor to determine whether lubiprostone or Linzess may be an option for you.
Uses
Uses of lubiprostone
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as lubiprostone for certain conditions. Approved uses for lubiprostone are described below.
Use for certain forms of constipation
Doctors may prescribe lubiprostone oral capsule for treating certain types of constipation. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
Specifically, lubiprostone is used to treat the following conditions in adults:
- chronic (long-term) constipation without a known cause, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation
- chronic constipation caused by taking opioids (pain medications), also known as opioid-induced constipation (OIC)
- irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adult females*
With constipation, you have infrequent bowel movements. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, straining during a bowel movement, and bloating.
Doctors may not prescribe lubiprostone oral capsule in certain situations. This includes OIC in people taking certain opioid pain medications, such as methadone (Methadose). It isn’t known whether lubiprostone is effective for constipation caused by this type of opioid.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for lubiprostone
Below, you’ll find information about lubiprostone’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of lubiprostone
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take lubiprostone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for lubiprostone” section below.
Warnings for lubiprostone
Lubiprostone should not be taken by certain people.
Lubiprostone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether lubiprostone is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for lubiprostone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Lubiprostone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to lubiprostone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe lubiprostone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to lubiprostone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of lubiprostone
You should not take more lubiprostone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much lubiprostone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lubiprostone
Information about lubiprostone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Lubiprostone and pregnancy
It’s not known whether lubiprostone 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
There are risks to taking lubiprostone while breastfeeding. For instance, lubiprostone may cause diarrhea* in a child who’s breastfed.
However, there are also risks with having unmanaged constipation during this time. (Keep in mind that lubiprostone is used for treating certain types of constipation. For details, see the “Uses of lubiprostone” section.)
If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about constipation treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take lubiprostone during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.
* Diarrhea is a possible side effect of lubiprostone. For a list of the drug’s side effects, see the “Side effects of lubiprostone” section.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know whether you have questions about lubiprostone or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there are any diet changes I should make while taking lubiprostone to help ease constipation?
- Can I take over-the-counter laxatives while taking lubiprostone?
- What are my options if I can’t afford lubiprostone?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Lubiprostone — lubiprostone capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/10c7b62d-6c39-453c-8d9a-2f441725bc3b/spl-doc
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.
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