Amitiza

Opioid-Induced Constipation, Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome + 1 more

Treatment

5 Active Studies for Amitiza

What is Amitiza

Lubiprostone

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Lubiprostone is a medication used to treat chronic constipation. It works by activating ClC-2 chloride channels found in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps to produce a fluid that softens the stool and encourages spontaneous bowel movements. It is a prostaglandin E1 derivative, meaning it is made from fatty acids.

Amitiza

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Amitiza Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Amitiza

Lubiprostone

2006

34

Effectiveness

How Amitiza Affects Patients

Chronic idiopathic constipation is when someone has infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, straining, and hard or lumpy stools can be caused by abnormal activity in the colon. Lubiprostone is a drug that helps treat this by increasing the amount of fluid in the intestines. It does this by activating special channels in the lining of the intestines, but it does not affect the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood.

How Amitiza works in the body

Lubiprostone works by activating ClC-2 chloride channels in the intestinal wall. This causes a flow of chloride and sodium ions into the intestine that boosts fluid secretion and increases motility. This helps with constipation by speeding up the passage of stools and restoring the normal functioning of the intestinal wall. Most of the benefits of lubiprostone are seen on the inside (luminal) portion of the digestive tract.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed amount of Amitiza is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including Opioid-Induced Constipation, Chronic Constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). The measure of dosage differs, depending on the technique of delivery (e.g. Oral or Capsule) presented in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Opioid-Induced Constipation

, 0.008 mg, 0.024 mg

Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, , Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Pain

, 0.008 mg, 0.024 mg

Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, , Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

, 0.008 mg, 0.024 mg

Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, , Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC)

, 0.008 mg, 0.024 mg

Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, , Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Warnings

Amitiza Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Mechanical Intestinal Obstruction

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Amitiza.

Common Amitiza Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abacavir

Minor

Lubiprostone may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.

Acrivastine

Minor

Lubiprostone may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.

Albutrepenonacog alfa

Minor

Lubiprostone may decrease the excretion rate of Albutrepenonacog alfa which could result in a higher serum level.

Alloin

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Lubiprostone is combined with Alloin.

Allylestrenol

Minor

Lubiprostone may decrease the excretion rate of Allylestrenol which could result in a higher serum level.

Amitiza Toxicity & Overdose Risk

A study of 51 patients who took a single dose of lubiprostone (6 times the normal dose) found that 39 of them reported an adverse event. Common side effects included nausea (45.1%), vomiting (27.5%), diarrhea (25.5%), dizziness (17.6%), loose or watery stools (13.7%), headache (11.8%), retching (7.8%), abdominal pain (5.9%), flushing or hot flush (5.9%), dyspnea (3.9%), pallor (3.9%), stomach discomfort (3.9%), syncope (

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Amitiza Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Amitiza?

31 active clinical trials are presently investigating the potential of Amitiza to alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) and Chronic Constipation.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioid-Induced Constipation

0 Actively Recruiting

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

5 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable

chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC)

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 3

Amitiza Reviews: What are patients saying about Amitiza?

5

Patient Review

5/12/2019

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

IBS-C has been a nightmare for me, but this medication is finally providing some relief. I would recommend it to anyone who's struggling with a similar condition.

5

Patient Review

2/13/2019

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

I found that this treatment works best when I drink a lot of water with it, and even better when I add prune juice to the mix.

4.7

Patient Review

1/5/2021

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

I have M.S. and IBS, so finding a daily regimen that works for me has been difficult. However, I've found that taking 1 capful of Miralax in 10 oz hot water or coffee before breakfast, and then taking 1 8 mg capsule of Amitiza with breakfast leads to results within two hours. If you need it, there's also liquid glycerin suppositories. I find that the 8 mg Amitiza dose every morning is sufficient, but if you miss a day don't worry too much about it.

4.3

Patient Review

10/24/2017

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

Though it took some time to kick in, this medication has been working great for me. I've gone from needing it once a week to almost every day.

4

Patient Review

10/22/2017

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

My doctor gave me 24mcg samples for OIC and the resulting anal fissures. We tried daily, but it worked very well-- maybe too well! We switched to every other day and that's working better.

3.7

Patient Review

3/17/2018

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

I was struggling with constipation for two weeks before starting this medication. Unfortunately, it has now caused me to have diarrhea every day. I go at least five times a day and would like to be taken off the medication.

3

Patient Review

10/6/2021

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

This medication made me feel nauseous and gave me abdominal cramps. Additionally, it was quite expensive.

2.7

Patient Review

6/30/2020

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

I felt incredibly sick after taking this medication. I had burning in my lungs and chest, felt hot all over, nauseous, anxious, and my heart was pounding. I also had a bowel movement (which was moderate). I can't take this ever again; it made me feel like I'd been poisoned

2.3

Patient Review

7/8/2021

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

Amitiza not only failed to alleviate my constipation, it actually made me more bloated and in pain. Additionally, I was unable to sleep and developed chest pain. If this medication had helped me at all, the prohibitive cost would still make it unviable for long-term use.

2.3

Patient Review

7/19/2020

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

This medicine is way too expensive and it made my poop really weird. Peanut butter consistency, to be exact. Mirlax works just as well and costs a fraction of the price.

2.3

Patient Review

4/22/2020

Amitiza for Chronic Difficulty having a Bowel Movement

Unfortunately, this medication gave me severe diarrhea and dehydration.

2

Patient Review

5/29/2019

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

Amitiza doesn't do much for bloating, which is my main issue with IBS-C. The dosage has been increased over time and it's still not effective.

1.7

Patient Review

11/19/2017

Amitiza for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

I used this for two weeks and it made me feel terrible! I had severe nausea, depression, and headaches. It barely helped with my constipation and ibs.

1.7

Patient Review

4/24/2019

Amitiza for Opiate Pain Medication causing Severe Constipation

I tried this treatment while continuing to drink Smooth Move tea, but saw little results. Sometimes I would have a bowel movement days apart, and other times it would be more frequent. There was also the issue of terrible swelling and pain in my hands and feet. I stopped taking the medication when the pain became too much to bear, but restarted it after a few days. However, the cycle simply repeated itself. In short, this treatment is not worth the agony it causes.

1

Patient Review

4/16/2018

Amitiza for Chronic Difficulty having a Bowel Movement

After taking this medication for two months and reading reviews, I have decided to stop. I experienced many negative side effects, including difficulty breathing, chest tightness, gas, insomnia, and mood swings. These were not worth the benefit of the medication (which was none for me).
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about amitiza

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is Amitiza a laxative?

"Amitiza is a drug that works in a similar way to fiber and traditional laxatives, by increasing fluid levels in the intestines and helping to pass stool. Amitiza is a type of drug called a chloride channel activator."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of taking Amitiza?

"You may experience nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, bloating, vomiting, dry mouth, and a runny nose when taking this medication."

Answered by AI

What does the drug Amitiza do?

"This text is discussing the use of a medication to treat two types of constipation: chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Chronic idiopathic constipation does not have a known cause. It is not caused by diet, other diseases, or drugs."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Amitiza

Image of Children's Hospital Los Angeles in Los Angeles, United States.

Maralixibat for Cystic Fibrosis and Constipation

1 - 18
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA

Chronic constipation is a feature of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This is postulated to be a result of inhibition of secretory activity of the gastrointestinal luminal cells due to ineffective chloride channel function. Typical laxatives that work as osmotic agents fail to produce adequate relief in this population. Maralixibat is a non-systemic bile acid transport inhibitor (IBATi) that acts by interrupting bile acid reabsorption in the ileum thus interrupting the normal enterohepatic circulation. This interruption results in a larger volume of bile acids reaching the colon and being excreted in stool. Bile acids are known to decrease bowel transit time, increase mucosal permeability and secretions, as well as alter gut microbiota resulting in diarrhea. The overarching hypothesis of the study is that Maralixibat will improve stool consistency in children (Age \<18 years) with cystic fibrosis and constipation (Bristol Stool Scale \<4). Specifically, we aim to test the hypothesis that IBATi improves the consistency of stool to Bristol scale \>4 in children with CF and constipation. We will recruit a total of 20 patients with CF and constipation (defined as Bristol Stool Scale \<4 for 1 week prior to enrollment while on a stable laxative regimen for at least 4 weeks.) Design is a 'Within-Subjects' study by which each enrolled patient will take Maralixibat for 2 weeks total in addition to their stable laxative regimen during the study. Stool consistency \& ease of defecation will be recorded before and during the study period by families of enrolled patients via materials provided by the investigators. Stool consistency and ease of defecation will be compared before and after initiation of Maralixibat. The primary endpoint: Improvement in stool consistency to Bristol scale \>4 in children with CF and constipation. The secondary endpoint: Improvement in ease of defecation in children with CF and constipation. This will be measured via survey using a standardized scale (Bristol Stool Scale) and questionnaires developed by the research team. Analysis will involve comparison of pre-intervention to post-intervention stool consistency \& survey

Phase 2 & 3
Waitlist Available

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Jaya Punati, MD

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