Lubiprostone

Lubiprostone is a prescription medication used for the treatment of chronic constipation or constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome and opioid use.

• Lubiprostone is available under the following different brand names: Amitiza

Adult dosage

Capsule

• 8 mcg
• 24 mcg

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Adult dosage

• 24 mcg orally twice every day

Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation

Adult dosage

• 8 mcg orally twice every day

Opioid-Induced Constipation

Adult dosage

• 24 mcg orally twice every day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Lubiprostone include:

• dry eyes or watery eyes,
• eye pain or discomfort,
• red or puffy eyelids,
• feeling like something is in the eye,
• blurred vision, or
• mild itching, redness, or other irritation.

Serious side effects of Lubiprostone include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing,
• severe or ongoing nausea or diarrhea, or
• a light-headed feeling

Rare side effects of Lubiprostone include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Lubiprostone has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Lubiprostone has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Lubiprostone has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Lubiprostone has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Mechanical GI obstruction

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Lubiprostone?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Lubiprostone?”

Cautions

• In patients with symptoms suggestive of mechanical GI obstruction, perform a thorough evaluation to confirm the absence of obstruction before initiating therapy (see Contraindications)
• Potential for acute dyspnea is described as a sensation of chest tightness and difficulty breathing within 30-60 minutes after the first dose; instruct patients to contact a healthcare provider if dyspnea occurs
• Avoid use in patients with severe diarrhea; instruct patients of the potential for diarrhea to occur during treatment
• May cause nausea and diarrhea (taking with food reduces the chance of nausea); dose adjustment recommended
• Syncope and hypotension were reported, some of which required hospitalization; most cases occurred in patients taking 24 mcg twice daily and some occurred within an hour after taking the first dose or subsequent doses; patients should be aware of the risk of syncope and hypotension during treatment and other adverse reactions, such as diarrhea or vomiting may increase this risk

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Following oral administration, concentrations of lubiprostone in plasma are below the level of quantitation; however, one of the metabolites, M3, has measurable systemic concentrations
• Data are not available to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes
• Lactation
  • No data are available on the presence of human milk that reflects on milk production.