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Amitiza (lubiprostone) is a chloride channel activator used to treat constipation, most commonly in:

• Long term constipation with no known cause
• Long term constipation related to the use of opioid medications
• Constipation associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in women

Amitiza offers gentle relief and promotes the return to regularity. Patients typically do not develop tolerance to or dependency on the medication.

Note that Amitiza should not be used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms other than constipation.

Getting Started with Amitiza

Amitiza works rather simply; it encourages cells of the intestinal wall to secrete salt water. The resulting salt water makes hard stools softer and both stimulates and eases the process of evacuation, gently and effectively providing relief from or prevention of:

• Hardened stools which can be tough and painful to eliminate
• No evacuation of stool for periods of three days or longer
• Excessive effort required to pass stools, which can cause injury and other problems
• Hemorrhoids and/or anal rupture
• General irritability
• Headaches and other discomforts

The above symptoms are usually alleviated quickly; normal bowel movements may resume within a day and overall symptoms are typically alleviated within a week.

Administration is simple:

• For irritable bowel syndrome the standard daily dose is 8 mg twice per day (16 mg total).
• For other conditions the standard dose is 24 mg twice per day (48 mg total).
• Tablets should be taken with a meal and fluids.
• Tablets should not be split, crushed, dissolved, or otherwise damaged; swallow them whole.
• If a dose is missed it should be skipped entirely; resume treatment with the next dose.

Amitiza is consistent and gentle, unlikely to lead to disruptive urgency or embarrassing accidents. Many patients develop tolerance to laxatives, requiring larger doses to acheive the dame effect, and constipation problems may return with a vengeance when treatment ends. These unfortunate side effects are not associated with Amitiza use, yet another advantage.

Duration of treatment will vary between patients. The medication may be used for as long as needed, but ideally that won't be terribly long. Patients should periodically assess whether continuing treatment is necessary. In many cases the medication is used for a few days or weeks at a time as-needed for constipation episodes, with medication-free weeks or months in between. Unfortunately for some individuals this is not an option, making the selection of a medication that does not build tolerance or dependency all the more critical.

Precautions & Adverse Effects

Because Amitiza's action is largely localized to the intestine itself, rather than being systemic in nature, the likelihood of other side effects is also minimized. In the majority of patients side effects of Amitiza---if experienced at all---are mild and not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive, including:

• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Mildly distended abdomen
• General gastric upset

Many of the above symptoms are also associated with constipation itself, as well as the process of getting things moving again.

Though rare, more serious side effects are sometimes experienced and call for prompt medical attention:

• Unusually severe abdominal pain
• Blood in stools or rectal bleeding
• Persistently feeling sick
• Persistent fatigue

Amitiza should not be used to treat diarrhea and should not be used when there is an intestinal blockage. The medication hasn't been studied for use children and should not be administered to younger patients without explicit doctor approval.

Effects on unborn and nursing babies is unknown; use should be avoided if breastfeeding, pregnant, or trying to conceive unless benefits outweigh potential risks.