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Man in plaid shirt and hat sitting down in a barn while holding stomach in pain. Man in plaid shirt and hat sitting down in a barn while holding stomach in pain.

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

Small, lump-like stools.Small, lump-like stools.Small, lump-like stools.

Lumpy or hard stools

Monthly calendar with three days marked with an ‘x.’Monthly calendar with three days marked with an ‘x.’Monthly calendar with three days marked with an ‘x.’

Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week

Feet twisting with striped underwear or boxers hanging at the ankles. Feet twisting with striped underwear or boxers hanging at the ankles. Feet twisting with striped underwear or boxers hanging at the ankles.

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.

Type 1 stools resemble small, hard lumps.
Small, hard lumps
Type 2 stools appear log-like but lumpy.
Log-like but lumpy
Type 3 stools appear log-like with surface cracks.
Log-like with surface cracks
Type 4 stools appear smooth and snake-like.
Smooth & snake-like
Type 5 stools resemble soft blobs with clear-cut edges.
Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
Type 6 stools appear fluffy with ragged edges.
Fluffy with ragged edges
Type 7 stools appear watery with no solid pieces.
Watery, no solid pieces
Bristol Stool Form Scale indicating constipation (types 1 – 2), normal bowel movements (types 3 – 5), or diarrhea (types 6 – 7). Bristol Stool Form Scale indicating constipation (types 1 – 2), normal bowel movements (types 3 – 5), or diarrhea (types 6 – 7).
Constipation Normal Diarrhea

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

WHAT CAUSES CIC?

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

Pipe-like intestines with a blockage and water droplets slipping past.Pipe-like intestines with a blockage and water droplets slipping past.Pipe-like intestines with a blockage and water droplets slipping past.

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.

Pipe-like intestines with a blockage appearing to contract. Pipe-like intestines with a blockage appearing to contract. Pipe-like intestines with a blockage appearing to contract.

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.

Single lightning bolt striking.Single lightning bolt striking.Single lightning bolt striking.

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

Infographic of the continental U.S. depicting number of CIC 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 relieve belly pain as well as overall abdominal symptoms, and lets you have more frequent and complete bowel movements that are easier to pass.

*IQVIA Total Patient Tracker – June 2020

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

Dian, 43
Diagnosed with CIC in 2011

FAQS
CHECK MY SYMPTOMS
CONSTIPATION TREATMENT OPTIONS
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IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

  • Do not give LINZESS to children who are less than 6 years of age. It may harm them. LINZESS can cause severe diarrhea and your child could get severe dehydration (loss of a large amount of body water and salt).
  • You should not give LINZESS to children 6 years to less than 18 years of age. It may harm them.
  • Do not take LINZESS if a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction).

Before you take LINZESS, tell your doctor about your medical conditions, including if you are:

  • Pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if LINZESS will harm your unborn baby.
  • Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LINZESS passes into your breast milk.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Side Effects

LINZESS can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, the most common side effect, which can sometimes be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of LINZESS treatment. Stop taking LINZESS and call your doctor right away if you get severe diarrhea during treatment with LINZESS.

Other common side effects of LINZESS include gas, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension). Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop unusual or severe stomach-area (abdominal) 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. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is LINZESS?

LINZESS® (linaclotide) is a prescription medication used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‑C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). "Idiopathic" means the cause of the constipation is unknown. It is not known if LINZESS is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age.

Please also see Medication Guideopen pdf in new tab within Full Prescribing Information.open pdf in new tab

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IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

  • Do not give LINZESS to children who are less than 6 years of age. It may harm them. LINZESS can cause severe diarrhea and your child could get severe dehydration (loss of a large amount of body water and salt).
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