A chloride-channel activator for chronic constipation
Lubiprostone
A medicine for chronic constipation and IBS with constipation that draws fluid into the bowel to soften stools.
What is Lubiprostone?
Lubiprostone is a medicine used to treat chronic (long-lasting) constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It works by activating chloride channels in the lining of the bowel, which draws fluid into the gut, softens the stool and helps it pass more easily. It is taken by mouth with food, which reduces the nausea that is its most common side effect. Other effects can include diarrhoea and, in some people, a brief feeling of breathlessness or chest tightness after a dose. It is generally used in adults.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Lubiprostone — 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
Lubiprostone is a medicine used for long-lasting constipation and for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Both involve hard, infrequent or difficult-to-pass stools, often with discomfort. Lubiprostone works in the lining of the bowel to increase the amount of fluid in the gut, which softens the stool and makes it easier to move along. It is taken by mouth as a capsule, with food, which is important because taking it with a meal reduces the nausea that some people get. It is generally used in adults under a prescriber's guidance.
How it works
Lubiprostone is a chloride-channel activator. It switches on particular channels (called chloride channels) in the cells lining the bowel, which causes those cells to release fluid, mainly water and salts, into the gut. This extra fluid softens the stool and helps the bowel move it along, relieving constipation and the discomfort that goes with it. Because the medicine works by changing fluid movement in the gut, common effects include nausea and diarrhoea; taking it with food helps lessen the nausea. Some people also notice a brief feeling of breathlessness or chest tightness shortly after a dose.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A medicine used for chronic constipation and for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, taken with food to ease bowel symptoms.
What it treats
Conditions Lubiprostone is used for
Practical use
How to take Lubiprostone
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsule by mouth with food and water, as taking it with a meal reduces nausea.
- Swallow the capsule whole rather than chewing or breaking it.
- Take it at the times your prescriber advises, usually with meals.
- Tell your prescriber if you feel briefly breathless or have chest tightness after a dose.
- Let your prescriber review whether it is helping and still needed over time.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Lubiprostone
Advantages
- Eases chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by softening the stool.
- Works in the bowel to draw in fluid, addressing the underlying hardness of the stool.
- Taken by mouth with meals, which fits around eating and reduces nausea.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes nausea, which is why it is taken with food.
- Can cause diarrhoea, as it works by drawing fluid into the bowel.
- Can cause a brief feeling of breathlessness or chest tightness in some people after a dose.
Practical use
Good to know
A practical thing to know about lubiprostone is that taking it with food helps reduce nausea, which is its most common side effect, so it is taken with a meal and water rather than on an empty stomach. Diarrhoea can also occur, as the medicine works by drawing fluid into the bowel. A particular point people sometimes notice is a short-lived feeling of breathlessness or tightness in the chest soon after a dose; this usually passes on its own, but you should mention it to your prescriber. It is generally used in adults, and it controls constipation while you take it rather than curing the underlying tendency, so your prescriber will review whether it is still needed and helping.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a known or suspected blockage in the bowel should not take it.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to lubiprostone should not take it.
- It is used with care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, only on medical advice.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether constipation and related symptoms are improving.
- Watching for troublesome nausea, diarrhoea or breathlessness after doses.
- Deciding whether to continue treatment over time based on benefit.
Side effects
- Nausea, which is the most common effect and is reduced by taking it with food.
- Diarrhoea, tummy pain or bloating.
- A brief feeling of breathlessness or chest tightness shortly after a dose in some people.
Key interactions
- It has few well-established 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.
- Severe diarrhoea could affect how well other medicines are absorbed.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Lubiprostone: frequently asked questions
What is lubiprostone used for?
It is used to treat long-lasting (chronic) constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, by drawing fluid into the bowel to soften the stool.
Why do I take it with food?
Taking it with a meal and water reduces nausea, which is the most common side effect of the medicine.
Why do I feel briefly breathless after a dose?
Some people notice a short-lived feeling of breathlessness or chest tightness soon after a dose; it usually passes on its own, but mention it to your prescriber.
Can it cause diarrhoea?
Yes, because it works by drawing fluid into the bowel, it can cause diarrhoea as well as relieving constipation.
Does it cure constipation?
No, it controls constipation while you take it rather than curing the underlying tendency, so your prescriber will review whether it is still needed.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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