WHAT IS CIC

SYMPTOMS & POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CIC

WHAT IS CIC

SYMPTOMS & POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CIC

CIC IS A CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITION

If your constipation keeps coming back or seems to last for a long time—3 months or more—it could be Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). “Idiopathic” means the cause is unknown.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CIC?

CONSTIPATION

Lumpy or hard stools Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week Incomplete bowel movements

Stool icon: An icon representing a symptom of constipation: small, lump-like stools.

Lumpy or hard stools

Few BM icon: A blank monthly calendar with three days marked by 'X's' to represent fewer than three bowel movements in one week.

Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week

Incomplete BM icon: Icon of a person’s feet turned inward, underwear hanging at the ankles, as they experience an incomplete bowel movement.

Incomplete bowel movements

WHAT COULD SMALL, HARD STOOLS MEAN?

The Bristol Stool Form Scale makes it easier to understand and talk about stools. The scale helps assess how long stools have been in the bowel by assigning them a number based on their size, shape, and consistency.

Type 1 stools have spent the most time in the bowel; type 7 have spent the least. Stools resembling types 1-2 may indicate constipation, types 3-5 are typically considered normal bowel movements, and types 6-7 could mean diarrhea.

Answer 5 quick questions to learn more about symptoms of IBS-C and how LINZESS may help. Check my symptoms.

Type 1 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 1 stools resemble small, hard lumps.

Small, hard lumps

Type 2 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 2 stools appear log-like but lumpy.

Log-like but lumpy

Type 3 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 3 stools appear log-like with surface cracks.

Log-like with surface cracks

Type 4 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 4 stools appear smooth and snake-like.

Smooth & snake-like

Type 5 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 5 stools resemble soft blobs with clear-cut edges.

Soft blobs with clear-cut edges

Type 6 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 6 stools appear fluffy with ragged edges.

Fluffy with ragged edges

Type 7 stool icon: Bristol Stool Form Scale type 7 stools appear watery with no solid pieces.

Watery, no solid pieces

Constipation

Normal

Diarrhea

Modified from original version. © 2000 Rome Foundation. Used with permission.

LINZESS IS FOR ADULTS WITH IBS-C OR CIC

LINZESS is a prescription treatment that helps you have more frequent and complete bowel movements and helps relieve belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms* (pain, discomfort, and bloating) associated with IBS-C.

*Abdominal symptoms were studied in combination, not individually.

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WHAT CAUSES CIC?

Researchers believe several factors may contribute to the development of CIC.

Fluid absorption icon:An icon of pipe-shaped intestines with a blockage and water droplets slipping past to represent fluid absorption.

FLUID ABSORPTION

The colon may be absorbing too much fluid from stools, or the muscles in the colon may be moving too slowly. This can cause stools to become dry, hard, and difficult to pass.

An icon of pipe-shaped intestines with a blockage appearing to contract due to muscle contractions.

MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS

The muscles of the colon may be contracting too slowly, which can reduce the movement of stool through the colon and cause infrequent stools.

Nerve sensitivity icon: An icon of three lightning bolts striking to represent nerve sensitivity in the intestines.

NERVE SENSITIVITY

Some patients may have less nerve sensitivity, which may reduce the urge to have a bowel movement. Other patients may have extra-sensitive nerves, which can cause discomfort.

WHILE ESTIMATES VARY, AS MANY AS 28.5 MILLION ADULTS IN THE U.S. MAY HAVE CIC*

*Estimated IBS-C/CIC sufferers within the U.S. through Kantar LINZESS Tracking Study; Jan-Dec 2020; general population sample only.

CIC infographic: Infographic of the continental U.S. depicting number of CIC (Chronic Idiopathic Constipation) cases in the country.

OVER 3 MILLION PATIENTS HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED LINZESS**

LINZESS is a once-daily prescription treatment for adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) or Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). It helps you have more frequent and complete bowel movements and helps relieve belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms† (pain, discomfort, and bloating) associated with IBS-C.

**IQVIA Total Patient Tracker – June 2020
†Abdominal symptoms were studied in combination, not individually.

Transcript

“After 2 weeks of taking LINZESS, I noticed a change in my bowel movements…I felt I could go completely.”

Dian, 43

Prescribed LINZESS for CIC

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FAQS
CHECK MY SYMPTOMS
HOW LINZESS CAN HELP