What is the best way to take Linzess?

Take Linzess by mouth once daily on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to a meal, and at about the same time each day. Swallow the capsules whole, do not crush or chew the capsule or the beads found inside. You should also wait 30 minutes before eating a meal if you take Linzess mixed with applesauce or water.

Always take Linzess exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.

Linzess is taken every day. It is not taken on an "as needed" basis for constipation like many over-the-counter laxative medications. If you stop taking it, your symptoms could return in about 7 days.

Do not take Linzess if a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction).

Do not give Linzess to children less than 2 years of age because it may harm them.

Can you take Linzess after you eat?

You should take Linzess on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to a meal, and at about the same time each day. You should also wait 30 minutes before eating a meal if you take Linzess mixed with applesauce or water (see below).

Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsule or the beads found inside.

Can I open the Linzess capsule and swallow the beads?

If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, the Linzess capsule can be opened and swallowed with applesauce or water by following these directions:

To take with applesauce:

• Place one teaspoonful of room temperature applesauce into a clean container
• Open the Linzess capsule
• Sprinkle the entire contents, which look like beads, on the applesauce.
• Eat the entire amount of applesauce and beads right away but DO NOT chew the beads. Do not store the bead-applesauce mixture for later use.
• Wait 30 minutes before eating a meal.

To take with water:

• Pour 1 ounce (30 milliliters [mL]) of room temperature bottled water into a clean cup.
• Open the capsule and sprinkle all of the beads into the cup of water.
• Gently swirl the beads and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Swallow all of the Linzess beads and water mixture right away. Do not keep the mixture for later use. If you see any beads left in the cup, add another 1 ounce (30 mL) of water to the beads in the cup, swirl for at least 20 seconds, and swallow right away.
• Wait 30 minutes before eating a meal.

Sprinkling Linzess beads on other soft foods or in other liquids has not been tested. Ask your doctor first before you sprinkle on any other food besides applesauce or mix in any other liquid besides water.

To take in a nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding tube:

Linzess may also be taken in a nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding tube. Ask your healthcare provider for directions and a demonstration on how to administer Linzess in a feeding tube. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

Gather the supplies you will need to take your Linzess dose. Your doctor should tell you what size catheter tipped syringe you will need for your dose.

• Open the capsule and pour all of the beads into a clean container with 1 ounce (30 mL) of room temperature bottled water.
• Gently swirl the beads and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Remove the plunger from the catheter tipped syringe, and then pour the bead and water mixture into the syringe and replace the plunger.
• Remove the cap from the syringe, insert the tip of the syringe into the nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding tube and push the plunger all the way in to give the dose.
• If you see any beads left in the container, add another 1 ounce (30 mL) of water to the beads in the container and repeat the process.
• After giving the Linzess dose, flush the nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding tube with at least 10 mL of water.

You can also find these directions in the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide). If you need a copy, ask your pharmacist.

Related questions

• Does Linzess help with weight loss?
• How often does diarrhea occur with Linzess?
• Suprep - Can I start the prep earlier?

Why is Linzess prescribed?

Linzess is an oral medicine that is approved by the FDA to help treat some groups of people with different types of constipation.

Linzess is prescribed to treat:

• irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults
• chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. “Idiopathic” means the cause of the constipation is unknown.
• functional constipation (FC) in children and adolescents 6 to 17 years of age. Functional constipation means there is no underlying organic cause.

There are important warnings about the use of the drug in some age groups of children.

• Linzess is not used in people less than 2 years of age due to the risk of serious dehydration.
• Researchers do not know yet if Linzess is safe and effective in children with functional constipation less than 6 years of age or in children with IBS-C less than 18 years of age.

How does Linzess work for constipation?

Linzess (generic name: linaclotide) is in a class of drugs called guanylate cyclase-C agonists.

It is thought to work by stimulating the GC-C receptor on the surface of the intestine to increase intestinal fluid secretion, transit time and helping to control abdominal pain. It helps to soften stools and stimulate bowel movements to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and functional constipation (FC).

What if I miss a dose of my Linzess?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Can I store Linzess in the bathroom?

Keep Linzess in in a dry place and tightly closed in its original container. Storing the medicine in your bathroom may expose the container and medicine to excessive humidity and moisture.

To help protect Linzess from moisture, do not remove the desiccant (the small package found inside the bottle). Do not store the medicine in a pill box or other container.

What is the most common side effect with Linzess?

Diarrhea, which can be severe, is the most common side effect of Linzess. In studies, some people stopped treatment due to diarrhea or other stomach side effects. Diarrhea appears to be dose-related, which means that diarrhea may be reported more frequently in people who take higher doses of Linzess.

Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of starting treatment. Stop the medicine and call your doctor right away if you get severe diarrhea during treatment.

Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop unusual or severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain, especially if you also have bright red, bloody stools or black stools that look like tar.

These are not all the possible side effects of Linzess.

To learn more see: Linzess side effects, warnings and precautions (in more detail)

This is not all the information you need to know about Linzess (linaclotide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.