(RxWiki News) While many people experience constipation at some point in time, some people have to deal with it on a much more regular basis. For these individuals, finding an effective treatment is very important.
The results from two studies recently presented at a conference demonstrated that the medication Amitiza (lubiprostone) was successful in treating chronic idiopathic constipation, and that the benefits lasted for up to 12 months across all ages, races and both genders.
"Speak with your doctor about treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation."
The two presentations were led by Ryuji Ueno, MD, PhD, in the Research and Development Group with Sucampo Pharmaceutical, Inc., in Bethesda, Maryland. The researchers analyzed data from clinical trials to determine the success and long-term effectiveness of lubiprostone in treating chronic idiopathic constipation.
Chronic idiopathic constipation is a type of constipation where no specific cause can be identified.
The researchers looked at two clinical trials to determine the success of lubiprostone and three clinical trials to determine its long-term effectiveness in treating chronic idiopathic constipation.
The five clinical trials focused on specific groups: non-elderly (less than 65 years of age), elderly, male and female and white and non-white.
To determine the success of lubiprostone in treating chronic idiopathic constipation, data was analyzed from 479 patients who were given 24 micrograms of lubiprostone twice a day for four weeks. The researchers looked at the frequency of spontaneous bowel movement, stool consistency and release of stools (e.g., straining).
They found that the frequency of bowel movements in a one week time period at least doubled from the beginning of the study to week four for all groups. Significant improvements were also seen in stool consistency and release of stools for all groups.
To determine the long-term effectiveness of lubiprostone in treating chronic idiopathic constipation, data was analyzed from 871 patients who were given 24 micrograms of lubiprostone twice a day for 48 weeks. The researchers looked at constipation severity, abdominal discomfort and abdominal bloating.
They found a significant improvement in constipation severity, abdominal discomfort and abdominal bloating from the beginning of the study to week 48 for all ages, races and both genders.
The researchers concluded that lubiprostone is effective in relieving constipation symptoms and improving overall constipation for a sustained period of time (up to 12 months) regardless of a patient's age, race or gender.
These poster presentations were given on September 13 at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology.
The researchers work for Sucampo, the pharmaceutical company that produces Amitiza.
