Amitiza

Amitiza,

a trademark for lubiprostone.

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lubiprostone

Amitiza

Pharmacologic class: Chloride channel activator

Therapeutic class: GI motility enhancer

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Enhances chloride-rich intestinal fluid secretion without altering sodium and potassium serum concentrations; increases intestinal fluid secretion and intestinal motility, which promotes stool passage and relieves symptoms of chronic idiopathic constipation

Availability

Soft gelatin capsules: 24 mcg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Chronic idiopathic constipation

Adults: 1 capsule P.O. twice daily with food

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
• History of mechanical GI obstruction

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• severe diarrhea, hepatic or renal dysfunction
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Administer with food.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Unknown	1.14 hr	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: headache, dizziness, hypoesthesia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia

CV: chest discomfort or pain, hypertension

EENT: sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, abdominal pain or discomfort, flatulence, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroenteritis, dry mouth

GU: urinary tract infection

Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, back pain, extremity pain, muscle cramp

Respiratory: upper respiratory tract infection, influenza, bronchitis, dyspnea, cough

Other: weight gain, peripheral edema, fever, viral infection

Interactions

None

Patient monitoring

• Evaluate patient for signs and symptoms of mechanical obstruction before therapy begins.
• Assess patient periodically for continuing need for therapy.

Patient teaching

• Instruct patient not to take drug during episodes of severe diarrhea.
• Caution female patient with childbearing potential that drug may pose hazard to fetus.
• Advise breastfeeding patient that she should decide whether to discontinue breastfeeding or stop taking drug.
• As appropriate, review all other significant adverse reactions.