Generic Name: Linzess (linaclotide)
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Within 3 hours of taking Linzess, you better be near a toilet. You better have your phone charged. It’s gonna be a long and bumpy ride. At first, you feel a rush of what seems like a 'complete bowel movement.' If you’re concerned about the planet, forget the toilet paper for a while. If you wipe, then stand up thinking you are about to go about your day, you’ll be sitting right back down fast! Do not trust time, that little bubbly feeling, stay on that toilet until you can’t anymore. It will get watery, angry, you will need baby butt ointment. You will be so squeaky clean! That being said, this is a medication I thankfully used on my day off. It’s potent, it will knock your socks off. It relieves chronic constipation, but it is dangerous to use before work. Also, I don’t trust it before bed. I promise there’s a good chance you’ll poop the bed. Please have a designated middle of the night, willing to wash shitty sheets, getaway driver."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take 290mcg daily in the morning. The first couple of weeks, it was amazing! The last few months have been challenging. It doesn't work. Today, I actually doubled my dose and I still did nothing. Anyone else have this problem?"
For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I just cannot! Because of my IBS, I bounce between symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Yes, Linzess works, but oh wow! I don't know how anyone takes this drug frequently. There has been nothing but straight liquid explosions. You definitely cannot underestimate urges to pass gas as it is likely just more watery stool (found out the hard way). I sat on the toilet so long that my lower extremities went numb but I couldn't get up to stretch because every time I would try more stool would come rushing like a flood. There were light stomach cramps and some bloating but nothing too severe. I will keep this medication on hand and use it merely as a laxative if I again experience a string of days with no bowel movement. But, there is no way on Earth I would take this pill every day or even every other day. I’d never be able to leave my home."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have really horrible IBS/ chronic constipation and severe depression. I take various medications for my depression including Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Adderall. Honestly, my Wellbutrin and Zoloft do nothing for me, Adderall makes me more focused but I don't feel motivated and I am still depressed. I still want to sleep all day. When I discovered my IBS and started on Linzess, life changed. I don't know how, but when I take it, I am back to being that vibrant and motivated person I used to be. It changes all aspects of my personality and how I react with people. It's not a placebo because then I would have just said that with Wellbutrin or whatever. This honestly does something that makes me lose weight and makes me feel so much happier. My best friend is a doctor and always says the best he's ever seen me. Take it for what you will, maybe it won't work the same for you. I have no idea what the connection is. All I know is that Linzess 100% improves my crippling depression."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess since early March 2021. I have IBS-C, GERD, and functional dyspepsia. I take the maximum dosage once a day and wanted to give some advice. Take the pill several hours before you want it to work and then provide enough time to complete the bathroom cycle. As an example, I am an early riser and get up at 3 AM. I like to be finished in the bathroom by about 7 or 8 AM. So, I take my pill at about 10-11 PM the night before. The pill needs some time to travel through your system and to get working in your colon. I have not experienced any side effects other than the loose stools. I continue to add some adjunct therapies to see what happens. Currently, I am trying out cellulose powder since I have read that insoluble fiber is helpful to speed up transit time. I will deal with diarrhea over constipation ANY day of the week!"
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had bowel issues forever. Metamucil barely helped. My gastro suggested Linzess. I was nervous reading the side effects, but tried for a month. Side effects are worth it! You go a lot after taking it. Diarrhea was worse at first. Now it depends on how much I eat. On bad days I skip a dose. Definitely make sure you have bathroom access the first few hours after taking it. Haven't had an accident, but you get strong urges! Also, do not trust farts! Also, Linzess bowel movements have a very distinct smell. My only issue is cost. It's extremely expensive and my insurance only covers some of it. I used Care Credit and got a coupon card from Linzess.com. But I don't have long-term options. There is no generic option, and it feels like punishment for being low income & having health issues. Still looking for options/help because this is a life-changing medicine."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I love Linzess. I have had chronic constipation for years due to very slow bowel. I can drink water, water, veggies, and no bread or carbs, and it's still as slow as a slug. I saw a Linzess commercial on TV and asked my doctor about it. He started me on the lowest dose, which did nothing. He upped me to 290, it's been heaven on earth, and now I do not have the pain from being constipated. I don't feel like I have something wanting to come out anymore. I have been on everything: Dulcolax, Mucinex, Metamucil, suppositories. Linzess is the only thing that wakes up my bowels. I have very little gas, my stomach growls, but no pain at all. Don't let all the reports about death, weight gain, kidney stones scare you, almost every medication can have similar reports. If you have a severe reaction, then it's not for you, get off of it. For me, it has been a godsend. Thank you for letting me share my experience."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess really works well if you time it right. It can be predictable if you take it at the same time each morning. You will have a normal movement followed by some muddy diarrhea and then after 3-4 hours, it just stops, and you feel much better. Sometimes I have to pair it with a couple of senna. The only bad side effect is I can’t sleep much because it’s constantly working on your system. It can be a little messy but if you time it right... it’s a dream! Give it a chance! Remember some pills are stronger than others. Make sure you always store it in a room temperature dry environment. I find it okay to skip a day here and there if you have a busy schedule, and you can just pick right back up where you left off the following day. Don’t drink too much coffee with it or it’s a nightmare. Just one cup will do in the morning afterwards LOL! Best of luck to you all!"
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been struggling with chronic constipation for most of my life. As I got older at 61, nothing was working. I didn't even know what IBS-C was. My doctor prescribed Linzess, it works like a charm, but at times, I need to hunker down near a bathroom. I'm on 145mg. I don't take it every day but every 2-3 days when I feel I need it, and it works within an hour."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’m at the end of week 2 and now I don’t sleep during the day because I have my energy back. I haven’t had any debilitating stomach pains since. My biggest warning is give it two weeks to work. Don’t take it the first day and blow up the toilet and say “This not going to work.” Give it time. It's not a constant in the bathroom, just a more back and forth. I felt really tired the first week too. By the end of that week, I noticed my energy coming back. It didn’t make my stomach cramp, just made it roil and tumble. The end of the 2nd week, it will start to harden back up and be almost normal in the morning and you are good to go. My point is, do not live through the pain of IBD, do something before it takes over your life like it was trying to do for mine. Talk to your doctor and take control with Linzess. If you can’t afford it, google the company and they will give you the steps to get financial assistance."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor ordered a 90-day supply of this medication for me this week. With my insurance, the price tag was $647 and change. I had to say 'No' to Linzess. Even the Rx coupon sites showed a month supply at over $400. How can anyone afford this medication? And I have decent insurance too."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess since 2015-2016. I've been taking 290mg and it works great. At first, I used to keep it in my cabinet, but when it stopped working, I started putting it in my fridge, and it works like a charm. I have IBS constipation, and I can't go unless I take my Linzess. I take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and you have to drink plenty of water with this, or it will not work. Yes, your poo may be watery, but that is better than having a blockage. All I can say is that I almost gave up on this miracle pill when it stopped working, but I'm so happy I found a way for it to start back working for me."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had constipation all my life. I am now 63 and still experience it. I have tried Senna Plus, Prune Juice but have stayed away from laxatives due to a colon resection for diverticulitis about 10 years ago. I have to say, as I have read other reviews, I take it on an empty stomach. I have results in about an hour or so and it lasts about 2 hours. It does work, so not sure if people are taking as prescribed but have learned its cycle. I take it once through my work week and then on the weekends. I feel better after being able to empty my bowels. I do drink fluids after taking the dosage. I am on the mid-level dosage. The lowest dose wasn't as successful for me. So far, I have enjoyed the medication to relieve lifelong constipation, but my only word of caution, learn how it works for you. Then you can go out and live your day afterwards. I find if I take it at 7-8 a.m., I can leave the house comfortably by noon. Good luck to everyone."
For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been on 72mg for about a month and a half. I love it. I do drink a lot of water with it. I get a good cleaning out daily. I take 1 capsule first thing in the morning around 4 am. It makes me use the bathroom about an hour later."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had severe constipation for the past 4 years. I was prescribed Linzess 2 weeks ago and it's been working great for me. I have not felt so much relief for a long time. The side effects are dry mouth, and I go like 3 times a day, but I'd rather go than not go."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have only been on once a day for a week and I have NO IDEA how people live their lives! You can’t go outside of your home, make plans for anything because you are always in the bathroom! I have burned dinners because I’m in the bathroom! It works great but I’m confined to my home!"
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Just started last week. So far I love it. I have been going for colonics every 10 days just to empty because I could no longer do it myself. My doctor even suggested removing my large intestine due to nerve damage and lack of motility. I am so glad I tried this drug first. I take it at bedtime and I do get up a few hours later and have watery stools but I will take that over getting up all night and pushing myself inside out with no results. A lot of people writing about how it interferes with their mornings so maybe they should take it at a different time and that may help. I never knew that so many people had the same exact problems with constipation like me. Thank you to everybody who took time to post. I don't feel so alone now."
For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Before starting Linzess at age 21 (~1 yr ago), I was going to the bathroom about once every 3 weeks. Eventually, laxatives were necessary, but still, I was going maybe 3 times a month. I was experiencing severe stomach pains that left me in bed for hours at a time daily. Eventually, I ended up in the ER. Within 24 hours of starting Linzess, I went to the bathroom. Yes, the first few days it was diarrhea. Within the first week, I was having regular bowel movements and have been having about 1/day since then. MY STOMACH PAIN HAS DISAPPEARED (that's huge!!!!) Gas? Yes, all the time. Diarrhea? Only if I take it too late in the day. Increased hunger? Yes, obviously, because my stomach is empty. Worth it? 5 billion percent."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've suffered from constipation since I was a toddler and it hasn't been fun. I had a colonoscopy at 4 years old, and they saw that I had an enlarged bowel. I used to have to take harsh laxatives as a kid, and then I switched to Miralax in my teens. I've been taking Miralax for 14 years, but for some reason, it decided to stop working as well. So, I switched to milk of mag until I could get in to see a GI doc. He prescribed me 72mcg of Linzess and scheduled me for a colonoscopy. I've been taking it for 2 weeks, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it does work, though, it's just like water peeing out of my butt, but sometimes it can be slightly formed. I've noticed it makes me really bloated feeling, especially if I drink something. I feel like I'm retaining water, and that's not a fun feeling because it hurts my abdomen. Sometimes I feel better after having a bowel movement, sometimes I don't."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic constipation all my life. I would have to take stool softeners/laxatives every day, still, sometimes it would be days before I would go. My new Primary Care Dr. after the first mention of this issue suggested I try Linzess. I have been taking it for 1 month now. I Love It! I take it as soon as my feet hit the floor every morning. I wait at least 30 minutes before I have my coffee, and within 1 to 1 1/2 hours after taking it I am going. Complete emptying, some more complete than others. But I Have NEVER gone every day, Never! I have lost about 6 lbs since I started taking it, and I have not changed my diet, I am just not storing all that waste now. I would recommend anyone having this issue to give it a try. I sure am glad I did."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have used Linzess for almost two years. Yes, I have moments where you can’t trust a fart, where I have run to the bathroom (as a teacher, I can’t always do this), and every other poop is liquid. I used to have one, maybe two bowel movements a week. My stomach pains felt like contractions of childbirth. I used to sit on the toilet for 3-4 hours every time I had to go and had a panic attack on top for fear of throwing up. My doctor told me to do an enema first to clear out my bowels. I then took the medicine 30 minutes before eating. It helps. I can miss one but not two days in a row. I have some bloating but I am not in pain and can enjoy my life."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Prior to starting Linzess, I took a daily dose of Miralax and was able to have a bowel movement almost every day, but I did not have a complete bowel movement. With Linzess, I was able to have a complete bowel movement at first, but after a few weeks, I had to add Miralax to be able to have any kind of bowel movement. It also made me gassy and bloated. I will not be continuing with the medication."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I'm 41 years old, and I've been constipated my entire life, since childhood. Now I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, and take narcotics. I push and push until I almost pass out. I become lightheaded and finally after pushing for 15-20 minutes, I tear and bleed. My doctor gave me samples of Linzess and it's changed my life. I do have some runny stool, but I would go through that any day. Constipation would cause me to get blisters in my mouth, I no longer get them. I'm a different person. My life was miserable before. Many, many years my life was a nightmare. Now I feel human. Love this medication."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take Suboxone daily, and the buprenorphine in it has constipated me like nothing ever has. I went 12 days without a bowel movement. I've tried every laxative on the market, including natural ones, and only lactulose worked but only at massive doses. Went to see a GI specialist who prescribed Linzess. Initially, she prescribed 290 mcg dose, but my insurance refused to pay for it but agreed to pay for the 145 mcg dose. I'm glad I didn't get the higher dose. This stuff is amazing. It has worked in as little as 45 min. I take it every 3 days, otherwise, I get insane diarrhea. I am so glad this medication exists, otherwise, I would be miserable and constantly chugging lactulose. The only side effect I get is diarrhea if I take it every day and a bit of tummy gurgling."
For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was given samples of Linzess from my gastroenterologist. His recommendation was positive. I have had severe constipation for 10-15 years. I have tried all sorts of natural laxatives, but nothing has worked. Linzess 290mcg is a miracle drug. Water is a must to let this drug do its job. Linzess is for constipation and travels through the intestines with plenty of water. You will experience fewer side effects if taken on an empty stomach. I take my capsule at 3:00 pm later in the afternoon. My experience with Linzess has helped me with not being nauseous every day. It works. In my first week, I had mild side effects as my body is getting used to the drug."
