Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS With Constipation Print Treating Chronic Constipation With Linzess Known generically as linaclotide, this is effective for IBS-C and CIC Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD on May 24, 2016 Emmy Ludwig, MD, is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology. She practices at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Emmy Ludwig, MD Written by twitter Written by Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial policy Barbara Bolen, PhD Updated on October 28, 2019 Constipation Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Nutrition Astronaut Images / Getty Images Constipation can be easy to joke about, but of course not being able to comfortably pass a bowel movement is no laughing matter. And while there are lots of potential causes of constipation (eating too little fiber, taking certain medications, having recent surgery), in most cases the condition is temporary and is easy to deal with by changing the diet, getting more exercise, or taking over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners. But for some folks, constipation can be a bigger problem—one that requires more aggressive treatment. That's where the prescription medication Linzess (linaclotide) comes in. (In Europe, linaclotide is sold under the brand name Costella.) It's used to treat people with a subtype of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have constipation along with stomach pain, cramps, and bloating. It's often referred to as constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Linzess also is used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), which the National Institutes of Health defines as "difficult or infrequent passage of stools that lasts for three months or longer with no apparent medical reason for the condition." If you're dealing with either IBS-C or CIC and your doctor prescribes Linzess for you, here's what you need to know about how the drug helps relieve constipation and more. How Linzess Works Linzess is characterized as a "peptide agonist of guanylate cyclase-C receptors." This means the medication stimulates specific receptor cells within the digestive tract to increase the flow of fluid into the intestines. This action is thought to speed up the rate at which the colon contracts and to reduce the amount of pain a person feels within the abdomen and digestive tract, what's known as "visceral hypersensitivity." Because Linzess is believed to work "locally," within the small and large intestine, there's a little risk that it will cause unwanted side effects, such as mild to moderate diarrhea. The Effectiveness Research shows Linzess works really well. For example, in clinical studies, compared to people taking a placebo, those taking Linzess were more likely to experience: An increase in the number of bowel movementsImproved stool consistencyLess strainingLess abdominal pain and discomfortDecrease in bloating What's more, the drug works quickly once a person starts taking and is effective for as long as she's on it. How to Take Linzess Linzess comes as a capsule. It's easy to take: Swallow the capsule whole (don't crush it up, for example, because this will affect the rate at which your body absorbs it) and, unless your doctor tells you otherwise, take it at the same time every day, on an empty stomach, no less than a half-hour before your first meal of the day. So for instance, if you normally have breakfast around 8 a.m., take your Linzess capsule before 7:30. One more precaution: Even though Linzess is a safe and effective medication for most people, it may not be a good idea for women who are pregnant or nursing a baby to take it. Make sure your doctor knows if you're expecting or breastfeeding if he says he wants to prescribe Linzess for you. Otherwise, know that once you start taking the drug, you may start feeling better within a week or so. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! One of the most challenging aspects of having IBS is trying to figure out what's safe to eat. Our recipe guide makes it easier. Sign up and get yours now! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ford, A., et.al. American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2014 109:S2-S26. Gaman, A., Bucur, M. & Kuo, B. Therapeutic Advances in Functional Gastrointestinal Disease: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 2009 2:169-181. Lee N, Wald A. Linaclotide: Evidence for Its Potential Use in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Constipation. Core Evid. 2012;7:39-47. doi:10.2147/CE.S25240. Maneerattanaporn, M., Chang, L., & Chey, W. Emerging Pharmacological Therapies for the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America 2011 40:22-243. Sources: Continue Reading