linaclotide at a glance
Medicine class
Guanylate cyclase-C receptor agonist and intestinal secretagogue
Licensed use
Moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults
Administration
Take by mouth at least 30 minutes before a meal
Main side effect
Diarrhoea, usually mild or moderate but occasionally severe
What is linaclotide used for?
Licensed use:
Symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults.
How does linaclotide work?
Linaclotide acts on guanylate cyclase-C receptors in the gut lining. It increases fluid secretion into the bowel and speeds transit; it may also reduce pain signalling from the gut. Very little reaches the bloodstream.
linaclotide preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 290 micrograms
How to take linaclotide
Take the capsule by mouth at least 30 minutes before a meal, following the prescription label. Taking it with food can cause looser, more frequent stools and more gastrointestinal side effects.
Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect capsules from moisture.
Leave the sealed desiccant canister in the bottle; do not swallow it.
linaclotide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating or abdominal distension
- Wind
- Dizziness
- Viral gastroenteritis
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or prolonged diarrhoea, which can cause dehydration, low potassium, dizziness or faintness
- Severe allergic reaction with breathing difficulty, swelling, faintness or a fast heartbeat
- Severe, persistent or worsening abdominal pain, which may rarely indicate bowel perforation
- Bleeding from the rectum or lower bowel
linaclotide in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. As a precaution, product information advises avoiding linaclotide during pregnancy unless the prescriber considers it appropriate. Discuss treatment if pregnant, planning pregnancy or possibly pregnant.
linaclotide while breastfeeding
Linaclotide is minimally absorbed. Neither linaclotide nor its active metabolite was detected in milk in a small study of seven lactating women, so infant exposure is not expected and product information permits use during breastfeeding. Effects on milk production have not been studied.
linaclotide interactions
Linaclotide has little systemic interaction potential, but diarrhoea can create clinically important interactions.
Proton pump inhibitors, laxatives and NSAIDs
May increase the risk of diarrhoea.
Oral contraceptives
Severe or prolonged diarrhoea may reduce absorption and contraceptive effectiveness; follow the contraceptive leaflet’s advice about additional protection.
Levothyroxine and other narrow-therapeutic-index oral medicines
Severe or prolonged diarrhoea may reduce absorption and effectiveness.
Common questions about linaclotide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is linaclotide used for?
It is licensed for symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults.
Is linaclotide a laxative?
It is a guanylate cyclase-C agonist and intestinal secretagogue. It increases fluid in the bowel and speeds transit, while also targeting IBS-related abdominal symptoms.
Why is it taken before food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.