{"id":52504,"date":"2022-07-08T08:30:56","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T12:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52504"},"modified":"2023-01-03T16:44:15","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T21:44:15","slug":"amitiza-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/amitiza-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Amitiza alternatives: What can I take instead of Amitiza?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare Amitiza alternatives<\/a>\u00a0| Linzess<\/a> | Trulance<\/a> | Motegrity<\/a> | Zelnorm<\/a> | Movantik<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation is a common condition defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week or difficulty in passing stools. Constipation can be caused by lifestyle factors, medications, or gastrointestinal disorders, and for some people, it can be a chronic problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amitiza<\/span><\/a> is a prescription drug used for the treatment of chronic idiopathic <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a> (CIC) in adults and <\/span>irritable bowel syndrome<\/span><\/a> with constipation (IBS-C) in adult women. It is also used to treat constipation in adults who are taking opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. This type of constipation is known as opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The main ingredient in Amitiza is lubiprostone, a <\/span>chloride channel activator<\/span><\/a> that stimulates fluid secretion in the gut, leading to more frequent bowel movements. Brand-name Amitiza is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and a generic version containing lubiprostone is also available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Amitiza is effective for treating constipation, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Some people experience troublesome adverse reactions, including nausea, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, chest tightness, and headache. Serious side effects of Amitiza such as fainting, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and severe diarrhea could also occur. In addition, the cost of Amitiza can be expensive depending on insurance coverage. For these reasons, patients may want to seek an alternative medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Amitiza?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Other drug treatments are available in place of Amitiza. Currently, Amitiza is the only drug in its class of chloride channel activators, so alternative medications will work in different ways to treat constipation. The table below compares Amitiza and its common alternatives by their different uses, side effects, and dosages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Amitiza alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name (ingredient)<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nCommon side effects<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nCoupons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amitiza<\/p>\n

(lubiprostone)<\/td>\n

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), opioid-induced constipation (OIC)<\/td>\nBloating, diarrhea, gas, headache, nausea, stomach pain<\/td>\nCIC or OIC: 24 mcg by mouth twice daily<\/p>\n

IBS-C: 8 mcg by mouth twice daily<\/td>\n

Get Amitiza coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Constulose<\/p>\n

(lactulose solution)<\/td>\n

Chronic constipation<\/td>\nGas, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting<\/td>\n15 to 30 mL by mouth daily<\/td>\nGet Constulose coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kristalose<\/p>\n

(lactulose powder for solution)<\/td>\n

Chronic constipation<\/td>\nGas, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting<\/td>\n10 g to 20 g by mouth daily (dissolved in water)<\/td>\nGet Kristalose coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Linzess<\/p>\n

(linaclotide)<\/td>\n

CIC, IBS-C<\/td>\nBloating, diarrhea, gas, headache, stomach pain, upper respiratory infection<\/td>\nCIC: 72 mcg or 145 mcg by mouth once daily<\/p>\n

IBS-C: 290 mcg by mouth once daily<\/td>\n

Get Linzess coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motegrity (prucalopride)<\/td>\nCIC<\/td>\nBloating, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, gas, headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting<\/td>\n2 mg by mouth once daily<\/td>\nGet Motegrity coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Movantik<\/p>\n

(naloxegol)<\/td>\n

OIC<\/td>\nDiarrhea, gas, headache, nausea, stomach pain, sweating, vomiting<\/td>\n25 mg by mouth once daily<\/td>\nGet Movantik coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relistor (methylnaltrexone)<\/td>\nOIC<\/td>\nAnxiety, bloating, chills, diarrhea, headache, muscle spasms, runny nose, stomach pain, sweating, vomiting<\/td>\nRelistor tablets: 450 mg by mouth once daily<\/p>\n

Relistor injection: 12 mg subcutaneously once daily<\/td>\n

Get Relistor coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symproic (naldemedine)<\/td>\nOIC<\/td>\nDiarrhea, gastroenteritis, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting<\/td>\n0.2 mg by mouth once daily<\/td>\nGet Symproic coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trulance<\/p>\n

(plecanatide)<\/td>\n

CIC, IBS-C<\/td>\nDiarrhea<\/td>\n3 mg by mouth once daily<\/td>\nGet Trulance coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zelnorm<\/p>\n

(tegaserod)<\/td>\n

IBS-C in adult women less than 65 years of age<\/td>\nDiarrhea, dizziness, gas, headache, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain<\/td>\n6 mg by mouth twice daily<\/td>\nGet Zelnorm coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to Amitiza<\/span><\/h3>\n