Amitiza (lubiprostone) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for certain types of constipation in adults. As with other drugs, Amitiza can cause side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Amitiza can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Amitiza in clinical trials:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea (see “Side effect specifics”)
  • headache
  • abdominal pain
  • bloating

Mild side effects can occur with Amitiza use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Amitiza’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Amitiza include:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea (see “Side effect specifics”)
  • headache
  • abdominal pain
  • bloating
  • gas
  • dizziness
  • vomiting
  • fatigue
  • chest discomfort

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Amitiza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Amitiza may cause serious side effects. Some are more common, while others are rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Amitiza’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Amitiza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Amitiza oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Amitiza oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Amitiza may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Will a higher Amitiza dosage increase my risk of side effects?

It’s not likely. In clinical trials, the risk of side effects did not depend on the specific dosage of Amitiza.

If you have concerns about the safety of your Amitiza dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of Amitiza compare with those seen with Linzess?

Amitiza and Linzess are both prescribed for certain types of constipation. But they contain different active ingredients and work slightly differently to treat it. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Amitiza contains the active drug lubiprostone. It works by enhancing chloride channels in your intestine to draw fluid into them. This helps stool pass more easily. In Linzess, the active drug is linaclotide. It works by increasing fluid in your intestines and moving food through your digestive system faster. It may also lessen pain in your digestive system.

Because they work similarly, they tend to cause similar side effects. These include gas, bloating, headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Amitiza cause hair loss?

No. Hair loss isn’t a side effect of Amitiza. Hair loss wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Amitiza.

If you’re experiencing hair loss while taking Amitiza, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Amitiza may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Amitiza.

Diarrhea

In clinical trials, diarrhea was one of the most common side effects. In most cases, diarrhea is mild but sometimes it can be severe.

Diarrhea is characterized by loose or watery stools. Other symptoms may include:

  • abdominal cramps
  • bloating
  • fever
  • stomach pain
  • body aches
  • chills

What you can do

Diarrhea can increase your risk of dehydration. If you experience diarrhea while taking Amitiza, it’s important that you stay hydrated.

Before taking any diarrhea medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Antidiarrheal drugs are not safe for everyone. So, it’s best to talk with your doctor so they can help determine if you should take an antidiarrheal.

Mild cases of diarrhea may resolve on their own as your body gets used to Amitiza. But you should call your doctor right away if you have severe diarrhea. They can help determine if Amitiza is the cause and if it’s safe for you to continue the medication. They can also evaluate you to see if you need fluids to prevent dehydration.

Low blood pressure

Taking Amitiza may increase your risk of low blood pressure.

But it’s important to note that low blood pressure wasn’t seen during clinical trials of Amitiza. There have been reports of this side effect after the drug was approved in people taking Amitiza, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Amitiza was the cause.

Low blood pressure commonly causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. And the risk of this side effect may be higher if you take other medications that lower blood pressure or develop certain side effects from Amitiza. These include diarrhea or vomiting.

What you can do

In most cases, this side effect goes away if you stop taking Amitiza or before your next dose.

To lower the risk of low blood pressure, tell your doctor if you take any blood pressure medications before you start Amitiza. If you develop any signs or symptoms of low blood pressure, tell your doctor right away. They can help determine if you should stop Amitiza.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Amitiza.

Before taking Amitiza, discuss your health history with your doctor. Amitiza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • Severe diarrhea: Amitiza can worsen severe diarrhea. If you have severe diarrhea, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Amitiza.
  • Bowel blockage: If you have a blockage in your digestive system, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Amitiza. If you’re not sure if you have one, your doctor can perform an examination before you start taking Amitiza.
  • Previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Amitiza or a similar drug, taking it again can cause another allergic reaction. For this reason, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Amitiza if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It’s not known if Amitiza is safe for you to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In animal studies, Amitiza harmed the fetus, and it was not found in the milk of lactating animals. However, animal studies aren’t always representative of what will happen in humans. Be sure to let your doctor know if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before starting Amitiza.
  • Alcohol consumption: Alcohol and Amitiza can cause similar side effects. These include nausea, headache, and dizziness. Taking Amitiza and alcohol together can worsen these side effects.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.