Lubiprostone

Lubiprostone is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women and chronic idiopathic constipation in men and women. It is also used to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC). Lubiprostone belongs to a group of drugs called CIC-2 chloride channel activators, which increase fluid secretions in the bowel to stimulate the movement of stool.

Lubiprostone comes in capsule form and is usually taken twice daily with food and water.  The capsule should be swallowed whole, not chewed or broken.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. 

Lubiprostone is a prescription medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women 18 years of age and older and chronic idiopathic constipation (long-term constipation with no obvious cause) in men and women. It is also used to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC), a condition when opioid medications are the cause of constipation.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Lubiprostone may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Amitiza

The most common side effects of taking lubiprostone are nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Within an hour of taking lubiprostone, a sensation of chest tightness and shortness of breath may occur. These symptoms usually go away within three hours, but may recur with repeated use. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms. 

No lubiprostone drug interactions have been identified, however, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with lubiprostone including:

• Shortness of breath: This side effect generally does not last beyond 3 hours, but may happen again with repeat dosing.

Do not take lubiprostone if you:

• have or suspect you have a bowel blockage.
• have severe diarrhea. 
• are pregnant, unless, after discussion with your healthcare provider, the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. 

Do not take lubiprostone if you are allergic to any ingredient in it. 

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of lubiprostone there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving lubiprostone.

Before receiving lubiprostone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially if you:

• know or suspect you have a bowel blockage. If you are unsure, your healthcare provider should evaluate your condition before starting lubiprostone. 
• have severe diarrhea. 
• have kidney or liver disease.
• cannot swallow a capsule.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant before taking Lubiprostone.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Lubiprostone falls into category C. There are no good studies that have been done in humans with lubiprostone. In animals studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. However, this medication may sometimes still help human mothers and their babies more than it might cause harm.

Women should have a negative pregnancy test before beginning treatment with lubiprostone and need to practice effective birth control measures.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. It is not known if lubiprostone is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your baby.

Lubiprostone comes as a capsule to be taken by mouth with food and water. It is usually taken twice a day. Swallow lubiprostone capsules whole. Do not chew or break the capsules.

If you miss a dose of lubiprostone, just skip that dose. Do not take 2 capsules to make up for the missed dose. 

Take lubiprostone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended dose varies depending on the medical condition being treated as well as other medical conditions you may have. 

The recommended doses are as follows:

• chronic idiopathic constipation: 24 mcg twice daily
• irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C): 8 mcg twice daily
• opioid-induced constipation (OIC): 24 mcg twice daily

If you have taken too much lubiprostone seek emergency medical treatment or contact your local Poison Control Center right away.

Store lubiprostone at room temperature in a childproof container that is tightly closed and out of the reach of children.

Do not use lubiprostone past the expiration date shown on the package.