Constipation Relief With Amitiza (lubiprostone)

Amitiza (lubiprostone) is a constipation medicine that you might want to think about if you have a constipation problem. However, as with any medication, Amitiza isn't good for everyone. So, it's important to have a full understanding of how it could help you and what risks and concerns are involved.

Reasons For Constipation

First of all, you need to understand that there are many different reasons for constipation or constipation-like symptoms. Some of those include:

• Medication Reactions
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Blockages Of Some Kind
• Improper Diet Creating Hard Stools

It's also important to understand that it's possible to have a slight bout of constipation, but also possible to have a chronic constipation problem. Depending on both the root cause and the length of time that you experience the problem, your doctor could recommend various treatment options.

Amitiza Uses

As for Amitiza, it is most often used to treat IBS in adult women or to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). So, if you just have constipation now and then, it may not be the best choice. It's also not a good choice for children or animals at all. It is not used to treat anyone who has severe diarrhea or may have any sort of intestinal blockage.

Inform Your Doctor

Before taking Amitiza, you will need to talk to your doctor. During that consultation you should make your doctor aware of certain things, especially any medical conditions that you may have currently or have a history of. Some important ones to mention include:

• Crohn's Disease
• Diverticulitis
• Gall Stones
• Hernia

You should also mention any medications that you are taking, whether they are prescription or over the counter medications. Additionally, if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant soon or nursing, you need to tell your doctor because Amitiza is probably not a good option for you.

How Amitiza Works

If your doctor does recommend Amitiza for you, it's certainly important for you to know how it works. Amitiza, which is also known as Lubiprostone, works because it gets your intestines to secrete more fluid. That essentially helps to lubricate them and move things along. Also, the constipation medication helps your stools to latch onto and suck up some of that fluid, which softens them up. That makes it easier and quicker for you to pass them.

Side Effects

As with any constipation medicine, Amitiza (lubiprostone) can have some side effects. One of the most unusual and noticeable is that it may give you a tight sensation in your chest or shortness of breath. The problem should only last for a couple of hours, at most, but it can be uncomfortable and a bit scary. So, if it persists, you should certainly talk to your doctor about it.