Laxatives (intestinal secretagogues)
- Increase intestinal fluid secretion
- Linaclotide/plecanatide: CIC + IBS-C
- Lubiprostone: CIC/OIC/IBS-C indications vary
- Useful after simple laxatives fail
- Diarrhea is the defining adverse effect
- Linaclotide can improve IBS-C abdominal pain
- Cost/access often limits use
Class at a glance
- Increase intestinal fluid secretion
Clinical role
- Lubiprostone: CIC/OIC/IBS-C indications vary
Other clinical roles
- Linaclotide/plecanatide: CIC + IBS-C
- Useful after simple laxatives fail
- Linaclotide can improve IBS-C abdominal pain
- Cost/access often limits use
Safety / monitoring
- Diarrhea is the defining adverse effect
Self-check
- What is the defining adverse effect of intestinal secretagogues?
Diarrhea. - Which secretagogue can improve IBS-C abdominal pain?
Linaclotide.
Drugs in this class (3)
Laxatives (intestinal secretagogues) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Constipation meds (1900–2026). Secretagogues highlighted from 2006.
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