Hoppa till huvudinnehåll

Lubiproston för förstoppning

Amitiza

Klinisk författares anmärkning Michael Stewart 24/8/2020: Amitiza® capsules were discontinued in the UK in January 2019. At the time of review there are no branded or generic products containing lubiprostone available in the UK. Lubiprostone may still be available in other countries. This medicine leaflet is based on medical information available in the UK at the time of writing and is left here for reference purposes. Please also refer to the manufacturer's information supplied with your medicine.

Take one capsule twice daily for at least two weeks.

Take the capsules with food.

The most common side-effects are feeling sick, diarrhoea and headache.

Överblick

  • Lubiprostone is a medicine for constipation.

  • It is taken as capsules, usually one capsule twice daily after a meal or snack.

  • It helps by increasing fluid in the bowel, making stools easier to pass.

  • Common side-effects include feeling sick and diarrhoea.

  • Inform your doctor if you have severe diarrhoea, chest tightness, or dizziness.

About lubiprostone

Typ av medicin

A chloride-channel activator

Används för

Förstoppning

Även kallad

Amitiza® (discontinued)

Tillgänglig som

Kapslar

Förstoppning hos vuxna is a common problem. It means either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty the bowels, or passing hard or painful stools when you do go. It can be caused by not eating enough fibre or not drinking enough fluids, or a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed). It can also be a side-effect of certain medicines (such as some painkillers), or related to an underlying medical condition. In many cases, the cause is not clear.

Lubiprostone helps to increase secretion of fluid into the bowel. This increases the movement of the bowels, making stools easier to pass. It is helpful for people for whom constipation remains a problem despite recommended changes to lifestyle or diet.

Before taking lubiprostone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking lubiprostone it is important that your doctor knows:

  • Om du är gravid eller ammar.

  • If you are so constipated that you think you may have a blockage.

  • If you have any problems with the way your liver works.

  • If you have low blood pressure (hypotension).

  • Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

  • Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

How to take lubiprostone

  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about lubiprostone and a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

  • Take lubiprostone exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one capsule twice daily. A course of treatment lasts for two to four weeks. Swallow the capsule with a drink of water after a meal, or with a snack. The ideal times to take the capsules are after breakfast and after supper.

  • If you forget to take a dose, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Få ut det mesta av din behandling

  • Remember to keep any regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.

  • If you have been taking lubiprostone for two weeks and have not noticed any improvement in your symptoms, let your doctor know.

  • En hälsosam kost som innehåller fiber (fullkornsbröd och spannmål, kli, frukt och gröna bladgrönsaker) tillsammans med flera glas vatten varje dag och daglig motion är viktigt för att upprätthålla en hälsosam tarmfunktion.

Can lubiprostone cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with lubiprostone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Very common lubiprostone side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people)


Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta?

Känner dig illamående (nausea)

Make sure you take the capsules during a meal

Common lubiprostone side-effects

(these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people)

Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta?

Diarré

Drink plenty of water. If the diarrhoea is severe, let your doctor know

Huvudvärk

Drick mycket vatten och be din apotekare rekommendera en lämplig smärtstillande. Om huvudvärken fortsätter, informera din läkare

Chest tightness, feeling short of breath

Let your doctor know about this so that your treatment can be reviewed

Känner dig yr

Do not drive and do not use tools or machines while you feel dizzy

Increased sweating, feeling flushed, swollen feet or ankles, stomach upset

Om det är besvärligt, prata med din läkare

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the capsules, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store lubiprostone

  • Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. The capsules can absorb moisture from the air so it is important to keep them in their original container to keep them dry. Do not keep the capsules for longer than four weeks after the container is first opened.

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Ta aldrig mer än den föreskrivna dosen. Om du misstänker att du eller någon annan kan ha tagit en överdos av denna medicin, gå till akutmottagningen på ditt lokala sjukhus. Ta med behållaren, även om den är tom.

Denna medicin är för dig. Ge den aldrig till andra människor även om deras tillstånd verkar vara detsamma som ditt.

Om du ska genomgå en operation eller tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du tar.

If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with your other medicines.

Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.

Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.

Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin

Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

symptomkontroll

Osäker på att blanda mediciner?

Kontrollera möjliga interaktioner mellan läkemedel, kosttillskott och livsmedel innan du tar dem tillsammans.

Vanliga frågor

What is constipation and what causes it?

Constipation means either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty the bowels, or passing hard or painful stools. It can be caused by various factors, including not eating enough fibre, not drinking enough fluids, a lack of exercise, being ill in bed, or as a side-effect of certain medicines like some painkillers. Sometimes, it can be linked to an underlying medical condition, or the cause may not be clear.

How does lubiprostone help with constipation?

Lubiprostone works by increasing the secretion of fluid into your bowel. This added fluid helps to increase the movement of your bowels, making stools easier to pass. It is typically prescribed for individuals whose constipation has not improved despite making recommended changes to their lifestyle or diet.

What should I do if I am pregnant or breastfeeding and considering lubiprostone?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to inform your doctor before you start taking lubiprostone. They will need to consider your circumstances to determine if this medicine is suitable for you.

Can I take lubiprostone if I have a liver problem or low blood pressure?

You should tell your doctor if you have any problems with how your liver works or if you have low blood pressure (hypotension) before starting lubiprostone. This information is important for your doctor to assess if the medicine is appropriate and safe for you.

How long does a course of lubiprostone treatment usually last?

A typical course of treatment with lubiprostone usually lasts for two to four weeks. Your doctor will advise you on the specific duration for your individual needs.

What are the common side effects of lubiprostone and what can I do about them?

Very common side effects include feeling sick (nausea), which can often be managed by ensuring you take the capsules during a meal. Common side effects include diarrhoea, for which drinking plenty of water is advised, and headaches, which may benefit from drinking water and a suitable painkiller. If any side effects continue, become severe, or include chest tightness or shortness of breath, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How should I store lubiprostone capsules?

Lubiprostone capsules should be stored in their original container in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. It's important to keep them in their original container because they can absorb moisture from the air. Once the container is opened, do not keep the capsules for longer than four weeks.

Vidare läsning och referenser

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.

Om recensenten

Författarbild

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.

Artikelhistorik

Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.

  • Next review due: 18 Sept 2026
  • 19 Sept 2023 | Senaste versionen

    Senast uppdaterad av

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Granskad av

    Sid Dajani
influensaberättigandekontroll

Fråga, dela, anslut.

Bläddra i diskussioner, ställ frågor och dela erfarenheter inom hundratals hälsorelaterade ämnen.

Anmäl dig till Patientens nyhetsbrev

Din veckovisa dos av tydliga, pålitliga hälsoråd - skrivna för att hjälpa dig känna dig informerad, självsäker och i kontroll.

Vänligen ange en giltig e-postadress

Genom att prenumerera accepterar du våra Sekretesspolicy. Du kan avsluta prenumerationen när som helst. Vi säljer aldrig dina uppgifter.