Search for articles or Rx savings
Key takeaways
Linzess is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. It is also used to treat functional constipation in pediatric patients.
Common alternatives to Linzess include Trulance, Amitiza, Lactulose, Motegrity, and Ibsrela, each with its own set of potential side effects and specific uses for different constipation-related conditions.
Switching to a Linzess alternative involves consulting healthcare providers for medical advice, considering insurance coverage and cost, and possibly using prescription coupons to save on medication costs.
Constipation affects about 16% of adults in the United States and 33% of adults ages 60 years and older. People with constipation may have infrequent bowel movements, dry stools, abdominal pain, or pain when going to the bathroom.
Linzess (linaclotide) is a brand-name prescription medication with no generic version available. It is used to treat adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). It can also be used to treat functional constipation in children and adolescents ages 6–17 years. Linzess should be taken on an empty stomach.
According to the prescribing information, common side effects of Linzess include diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, headache, and bloating, while serious side effects may include severe diarrhea or an allergic reaction. People who experience serious side effects should stop taking Linzess and get medical help.
If you are considering exploring alternative treatments to Linzess, the good news is that there are other prescription drugs available to treat these conditions.
What can I take in place of Linzess?
In the table below, we compare Linzess versus some common Linzess alternatives. All of the drugs listed are prescription constipation medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Compare Linzess alternatives |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name (ingredient) | Uses | Common side effects | Dosage | Savings |
| Linzess (linaclotide) | Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) Functional constipation (FC) in patients ages 6–17 years old |
Diarrhea, stomach pain, flatulence (gas), headache, upper respiratory infection (URI), bloating | IBS-C: 290 mcg by mouth once daily
CIC: 72 or 145 mcg by mouth once daily FC: 72 mcg by mouth once daily |
Linzess coupons |
| Amitiza (lubiprostone) | IBS-C in women ages 18 years and older
CIC in adults Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic pain not due to cancer |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools, headache, bloating, stomach pain, gas, URI, urinary tract infection (UTI), fatigue, shortness of breath, back or joint pain, swelling of the extremities | IBS-C: 8 mcg by mouth twice daily
CIC or OIC: 24 mcg by mouth twice daily |
Amitiza coupons |
| Ibsrela (tenapanor) | IBS-C | Diarrhea, bloating, gas, dizziness | 50 mg by mouth twice daily | Ibsrela coupons |
| Lactulose (oral solution) | Chronic constipation | Nausea, vomiting, gas, cramping, bloating | 30–45 mL by mouth 3 or 4 times daily | Lactulose coupons |
| Motegrity (prucalopride succinate) | CIC | Headache, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas, fatigue, dizziness | 2 mg by mouth daily | Motegrity coupons |
| Trulance (plecanatide) | IBS-C
CIC |
Diarrhea | 3 mg by mouth daily | Trulance coupons |
Amitiza (lubiprostone)
Amitiza is in a drug class called chloride channel activators. It is approved to treat CIC in adults, IBS-C in women 18 years and older, and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. Amitiza is available in both brand-name and generic forms.
The dosage for IBS-C is 8 mcg twice daily, and the dosage for CIC or OIC is 24 mcg twice daily. Common side effects include stomach-related problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, pain, gas, and indigestion.
Patients who experience severe diarrhea should stop taking Amitiza and contact their healthcare provider right away. Amitiza may cause fainting and low blood pressure—patients who experience these signs and symptoms should stop taking Amitiza and contact their healthcare provider. Amitiza can also cause shortness of breath, usually within an hour of the first dose and generally resolving within three hours. However, shortness of breath may continue to occur with future doses. Patients who experience shortness of breath should consult their provider. Amitiza should not be used in patients with GI obstruction.
Ibsrela (tenapanor)
Ibsrela is classified as a brand-name sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3) inhibitor. It is used to treat IBS-C in adults. The usual dosage is 50 mg by mouth twice daily, just before breakfast (or the first main meal of the day) and dinner. Common side effects include diarrhea, gas, bloating, and dizziness.
A small number of people taking Ibsrela may experience severe diarrhea. If you are taking Ibsrela and have severe diarrhea, stop taking Ibsrela and call your healthcare provider right away. Ibsrela should not be used in people with gastrointestinal obstruction.
Lactulose
Lactulose is classified as an osmotic laxative. It is available as a generic drug in oral and rectal solution form, as well as in a powder form that is mixed with water. The dosage depends on which formulation is being used. Lactulose is used to treat chronic constipation. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, gas, cramping, and bloating. Lactulose cannot be used in people who require a low-galactose diet. Lactulose should be used with caution in people with diabetes.
Motegrity (prucalopride succinate)
Motegrity is a brand-name serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist and is used to treat CIC in adults. It is now available as generic prucalopride succinate as well. The usual dosage of Motegrity is 2 mg by mouth daily. Common side effects may include stomach problems like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. Headache, dizziness, and fatigue are also common side effects.
Patients taking Motegrity must be monitored for suicidal thoughts and behavior or worsening depression. Patients and their caregivers should be aware of this possibility. If the patient experiences mood or behavior changes or suicidal thoughts or behavior, the patient should stop taking Motegrity right away and contact their healthcare provider. For urgent situations, call 911 or call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Motegrity should not be used in patients with intestinal perforation or obstruction.
Trulance (plecanatide)
Linzess is classified as a guanylate cyclase-C agonist. If you’re looking for a Linzess alternative because of side effects or an allergic reaction, then Trulance may not be a good alternative. Trulance is very similar to Linzess, and it is likely you would have the same reaction.
Trulance is a brand-name medication FDA approved to treat IBS-C or CIC in adults. In animal clinical trials, one dose of Trulance caused deaths due to dehydration. For that reason, Trulance is contraindicated in children under 6 years old. However, it should not be used in any child under 18 years old due to a lack of safety and efficacy data. This is stated on the drug’s boxed warning (also called a black box warning). Trulance also should not be used in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction.
The typical dosage of Trulance is 3 mg by mouth daily. The most common side effect is diarrhea. Patients who experience severe diarrhea should stop taking Trulance and consult their healthcare provider right away.
Save up to 80% on Linzess with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Natural alternatives to Linzess
Often, people who take prescription medication for constipation have already exhausted over-the-counter (OTC) stool softeners or laxatives—saline laxatives such as magnesium, osmotic laxatives such as Miralax, stimulant laxatives such as Dulcolax (bisacodyl), or bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium.
Dietary and lifestyle modifications can help constipation and can be used in combination with prescription medication. Including plenty of fiber and water in your diet can help prevent constipation. There are many sources of fiber, including fruits (especially berries, apples, and pears), vegetables (such as broccoli, avocado, and artichokes), whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Regular exercise, such as walking after a meal, can help keep the bowels moving. A registered dietitian can be a helpful source for dietary changes that can help constipation. Your healthcare provider or GI specialist (doctor of gastroenterology) is the best source to turn to for medical advice on prescription medication for constipation.
How to switch to a Linzess alternative
If you are interested in switching to a Linzess alternative, you can:
- Reach out to your insurance plan if the price is a concern. Ask which Linzess alternatives are covered, and what your cost would be, taking the deductible into consideration, if applicable.
- Call your healthcare provider. They may want to see you in person before switching your medication. You should discuss all of your medical conditions and history, as well as alternative medications (and their potential drug interactions and adverse effects) with your healthcare provider. Be sure to tell them about all of your medical conditions and medications you take, including prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
- Search the SingleCare website for prescription coupons—our customers regularly save up to 80% on prescription prices, and what’s more, the coupons can be applied to refills as well.