Skip to main content
TALK TO A DOCTOR
Woman with long blonde hair hunching over and holding stomach while sitting on stone steps with friends at beach. Woman with long blonde hair hunching over and holding stomach while sitting on stone steps with friends at beach.

WHAT IS IBS-C

SYMPTOMS & POSSIBLE CAUSES OF IBS-C

IBS-C IS A CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITION

If you’re suffering from constipation with abdominal (belly) symptoms that return again and again, you may have a type of chronic constipation called Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C).

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF IBS-C?

IBS-C patients typically experience constipation with abdominal (belly) symptoms.

CONSTIPATION

  • Small, lump-like stools.Lumpy or hard stools
  • 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. Incomplete bowel movements

ABDOMINAL SYMPTOMS

  • Exposed stomach being twisted like a towel.Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Hands holding exposed stomach.Discomfort
  • Exposed stomach with a balloon over the belly.Bloating
Plus sign.

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 IBS-C?

The cause of IBS-C is unknown, but researchers believe several factors may contribute to the condition.

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.

Three lightning bolts striking.Three lightning bolts striking.Three lightning bolts striking.

NERVE SENSITIVITY

The nerves in the intestines may be extra sensitive, causing sufferers to feel more belly pain or discomfort than those who do not have IBS-C.

Profile of brain.Profile of brain.Profile of brain.

BRAIN-BOWEL CONNECTION

There could be a miscommunication between the brain and the bowel (gut) that causes a change in bowel movements.

WHILE ESTIMATES VARY, AS MANY AS 11.5 MILLION ADULTS IN THE U.S. MAY HAVE IBS-C

Infographic of the continental U.S. depicting number of IBS-C 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.

“Within about a week I noticed I was having more frequent bowel movements.”

Elaine, 61
Prescribed LINZESS for IBS-C

FAQS
CHECK MY SYMPTOMS
CONSTIPATION TREATMENT OPTIONS
Back to top -

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

Expand +

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).
ACCEPT
Read More
Read Less