Resources / Healthy Routines

 

OTC & PRESCRIPTION
TREATMENTS

 

Common OTCs & How They Work

What exactly is fiber? Is a prescription just a really strong laxative? Should I really be taking these every day? Some people spend years dealing with constipation and belly pain, juggling multiple OTCs (over-the-counter drugs), without really knowing how they work.

Here’s a closer look at how some of the most common OTCs work, and a look at prescription treatment LINZESS.

Fiber

Fiber pulls fluid into the intestine, bulking up stool and making it easier to pass. It can take a couple of days to begin working.

Stimulant Laxatives

These stimulate muscles in the intestine to keep stool moving. They’re good for quick but temporary relief and shouldn’t be taken regularly.

Stool Softeners

These draw water into the intestine to soften stool. They can take a few days to work, but be sure to take them with plenty of water.

 

What Is LINZESS?

  • LINZESS isn’t a laxative. It’s a once-daily pill that can help proactively manage symptoms of IBS-C and CIC, including belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms* (pain, discomfort, and bloating) for adults with IBS-C.
  • It acts locally in the intestine and is thought to work by calming pain-sensing nerves and accelerating bowel movements.
  • When LINZESS is taken daily, constipation relief is typically felt in about 1 week. IBS-C patients may begin to experience relief of belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms* (pain, discomfort, and bloating) in about 1 week, with symptoms typically improving over 12 weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

*Abdominal symptoms were studied in combination, not individually. 
This was seen in animal studies, and the relevance to humans is not known.

Sources:

  1. Bruce, Debra Fulghum. “Safely Using Laxatives for Constipation.” WebMD. 13 May 2020. Accessed 9 Sept. 2021. www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/laxatives-for-constipation-using-them-safely
  2. “Stool Softener-Laxative.” WebMD. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021. www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5718/stool-softener-laxative-oral/details

 

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