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Lubiprostone

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Description

Lubiprostone is used in the treatment of constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system), long-term treatment with opioids (a class of medicines used to treat severe pain). It is also used in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (constipation of unknown cause). This medicine works by increasing intestinal secretions, improving bowel movements and facilitating the easy passage of stools. Lubiprostone may cause common side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. Lubiprostone should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body. It is recommended to take this medicine with food to avoid nausea. Lubiprostone should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have pre-existing liver or stomach/intestinal problems before beginning treatment with this medicine. Close evaluation with respect to your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects. Lubiprostone is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Lubiprostone

Nausea

Stomach pain

Diarrhoea

Headache

Increased sweating

Chest tightness

Vomiting

Trouble sleeping

Uses of Lubiprostone

What is it prescribed for?

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Constipation is a condition with reduced stool frequency (less than three bowel movements a week) and/or difficulty in passing stools. Symptoms may include incomplete bowel movements, hard/dry/lumpy stools that are difficult/painful to pass, a feeling of incomplete evacuation after defecation (passing stools), abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating (a buildup of gas in your stomach and intestines), excessive flatulence (passing gas), etc. Chronic idiopathic constipation is a type of constipation that is experienced for a prolonged duration and is of unknown cause. Lubiprostone is used in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, bloating (a buildup of gas in your stomach and intestines), abdominal pain/discomfort, etc. Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) is a type of IBS characterized by constipation (a condition with reduced stool frequency and/or difficulty in passing stools). Lubiprostone is used in the treatment of IBS-C in women above 18 years of age.

Opioid-Induced Constipation

Opioids are a class of medicines used to treat chronic (long-term) pain (such as cancer pain). The most common side effect of opioid treatment is constipation (a condition with reduced stool frequency and/or difficulty in passing stools). Lubiprostone is used in the treatment of Opioid-Induced Constipation.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The time required by Lubiprostone to show its effect is one to two hours of intake.

  • Duration of effect

    The effect of Lubiprostone lasts for an approximate duration of five to eight hours after intake.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Lubiprostone.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to Lubiprostone is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    It is not known whether Lubiprostone passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.

Allergy

Avoid Lubiprostone if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Gastrointestinal obstruction

Lubiprostone is not recommended if you have a history of blockage/tear in your intestines due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to Lubiprostone is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether Lubiprostone passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.

General warnings

Nausea

Lubiprostone may cause nausea. It is recommended to take this medicine with food to avoid nausea.

Diarrhoea

Lubiprostone is not recommended if you have severe diarrhoea due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Consult your doctor if you experience diarrhoea while on treatment with this medicine.

Syncope and Hypotension

Lubiprostone may increase your risk of syncope (loss of consciousness) and hypotension (low blood pressure). Inform your doctor if you experience such symptoms while on treatment with this medicine. You may require dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.

Use in children

Lubiprostone is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies.

Other medicines

Lubiprostone may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.

Missed Dose

Try not to skip a dose of Lubiprostone. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.

Overdose

Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Lubiprostone.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Methadone

Idelalisib

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

Lubiprostone is metabolized and broken down by the liver and should be used with caution if you have pre-existing liver problems (moderate to severe) due to the increased risk of undesired side effects, resulting from the accumulation of this medicine in your body. Your liver function needs to be closely monitored and dose adjustments may be required based on your clinical condition.

Dyspnea

Lubiprostone may cause dyspnea (shortness of breath) and should be used with caution if you have pre-existing lung problems due to the increased risk of breathing difficulties.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Lubiprostone after food to avoid nausea. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Lubiprostone may cause diarrhoea. Inform your doctor if you experience diarrhoea while on treatment with this medicine. Lubiprostone may cause hypotension (low blood pressure). It is recommended to monitor your blood pressure.

Miscelleneous

To be taken with food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

Lubiprostone belongs to a class of medicines called laxatives. This medicine works by increasing the intestinal secretions, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass more easily.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Classification

Category

Chloride channel activators

Schedule

Schedule H

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/021908s018lbl.pdf>

Drugs, H., 2021. Lubiprostone: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607034.html>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Lubiprostone. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lubiprostone>

Rad-ar.or.jp. 2021. Search results detail| Kusurino-Shiori(Drug information Sheet). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].

https://www.rad-ar.or.jp/siori/english/kekka.cgi?n=33725>
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Information on this page was last updated on 6 Dec 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.