A medicine for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Linaclotide
A medicine used for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, helping the bowels move and easing tummy pain and bloating.
What is Linaclotide?
Linaclotide is a medicine used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). It works in the lining of the bowel to draw fluid into the gut and speed up bowel movements, while also helping to ease the tummy pain and bloating that come with IBS. It is taken by mouth before food. The most important thing to know is that its main side effect is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be severe — if that happens you should stop taking it and seek advice. It is for adults and is not used in children.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Linaclotide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Linaclotide is a medicine used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults. IBS with constipation involves infrequent or difficult bowel movements together with tummy pain, bloating and discomfort. Linaclotide acts on the lining of the bowel to bring more fluid into the gut and to help the bowel move its contents along, which softens stools, makes them easier to pass and helps relieve the pain and bloating. It is taken by mouth as a capsule before food. It is intended for adults and is not for use in children.
How it works
Linaclotide is a guanylate-cyclase-C agonist, meaning it switches on a particular receptor on the lining of the bowel. Doing so prompts cells there to release fluid into the gut, which softens the stool and helps it move along, easing constipation. The same action is also thought to calm the nerves in the gut wall that carry pain signals, which helps reduce the tummy pain and bloating of IBS. Because it works directly in the gut, it is taken before food, and its fluid-drawing effect is also the reason its main side effect is diarrhoea.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A medicine used in adults for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, taken before food to ease bowel symptoms.
What it treats
Conditions Linaclotide is used for
Practical use
How to take Linaclotide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsule by mouth before food, ideally at least half an hour before a meal, as this reduces the chance of diarrhoea.
- Take it at about the same time each day as advised.
- Stop taking it and seek advice if you get severe or ongoing diarrhoea, and drink plenty of fluids.
- Do not give it to children, as it is intended for adults only.
- Let your prescriber review how well it is working after a few weeks of treatment.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Linaclotide
Advantages
- Eases the constipation, tummy pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
- Works directly in the bowel and is taken once a day by mouth.
- Addresses both bowel movements and the pain side of IBS together.
Disadvantages
- Its main side effect is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be severe.
- Needs to be taken before food to reduce the risk of diarrhoea.
- Is for adults only and not suitable for children.
Practical use
Good to know
The dominant thing to understand about linaclotide is that diarrhoea is its main side effect, because the medicine works by bringing fluid into the bowel. For most people this is mild, but it can sometimes be severe — if you get severe or persistent diarrhoea you should stop taking the medicine and seek advice, drinking plenty of fluids in the meantime, as losing too much fluid can be harmful. Taking it before food, rather than with or after a meal, makes diarrhoea less likely. It is meant for adults with IBS with constipation and is not used in children. It treats the condition while you take it rather than curing it, and your prescriber will review whether it is helping after a few weeks.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- Children should not take it, as it is intended for adults only.
- People with a known or suspected blockage in the bowel should not take it.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to linaclotide should not take it.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether bowel symptoms, pain and bloating are improving after a few weeks.
- Watching for severe diarrhoea and any signs of losing too much fluid.
- Deciding whether to continue if there is little benefit after a reasonable trial.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, which is the most common effect and can occasionally be severe.
- Tummy pain, bloating or wind.
- Rarely, losing too much fluid through severe diarrhoea, which can affect salts in the body.
Key interactions
- Severe diarrhoea could affect how well other medicines, such as the contraceptive pill, are absorbed.
- It has few direct medicine interactions, but tell your prescriber about all your medicines.
- Be cautious combining it with other treatments that loosen the bowels, as effects add together.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Linaclotide: frequently asked questions
What is linaclotide used for?
It is used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, easing infrequent bowel movements as well as the tummy pain and bloating of IBS.
Why do I take it before food?
Taking it at least half an hour before a meal reduces the chance of diarrhoea, which is the medicine's main side effect.
What should I do if I get bad diarrhoea?
If you get severe or ongoing diarrhoea, stop taking the medicine, drink plenty of fluids and seek advice, as losing too much fluid can be harmful.
Can children take it?
No, linaclotide is intended for adults only and should not be given to children.
Does it cure IBS?
No, it controls the symptoms while you take it rather than curing the condition, and your prescriber will review whether it is helping.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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