Linaclotide for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: a review. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arriaga, Michael; Quigley, Eamonn MM
• Is Part Of: Clinical investigation. Volume 5:Number 7(2015)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 641
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: constipation -- diarrhea -- intestinal secretion -- irritable bowel syndrome -- laxatives -- linaclotide -- lubiprostone -- prokinetics -- prosecretory agents; Drugs -- Testing -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; Clinical trials -- Periodicals; 615.580724
• DOI: 10.4155/cli.15.25
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6806

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that poses a management challenge. IBS with constipation as the dominant bowel habit is a common phenotype and features abdominal pain, infrequent bowel movements or difficult defecation, bloating and distention, as major symptoms. While laxatives increase stool frequency, they have little impact on other symptoms; prior, more specifically targeted, therapies have been withdrawn because of adverse events. Prosecretory agents represent a new drug class that act locally and have minimal systemic absorption; linaclotide is the latest to obtain regulatory approval and provides significant relief of the cardinal symptoms of IBS-constipation. Linaclotide also accelerates colonic transit and animal data suggest a visceral analgesic effect. The main side effect has been diarrhea.