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Linaclotide: a guide to its use in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in the EU

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Abstract

Linaclotide (Constella®) is a novel first-in-class agent for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It is a synthetic peptide and a potent guanylate cyclase C receptor agonist that acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract to stimulate fluid secretion, increase colonic transit and reduce abdominal pain. Relative to placebo, oral linaclotide 290 µg/once daily significantly improved abdominal symptoms (including bloating and pain/discomfort), bowel function and health-related quality of life in two phase 3 trials. Linaclotide was generally well tolerated for up to 26 weeks.

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Acknowledgments

The manuscript was reviewed by: E. Obarcanin, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; E.M.M. Quigley, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, Texas, USA.

Disclosure

This article was updated from Drugs 2014;74(1):53–60 [9], by contracted/salaried employees of Adis/Springer. The preparation of these reviews was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Correspondence to Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson.

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Yang, L.P.H., McCormack, P.L. & Lyseng-Williamson, K.A. Linaclotide: a guide to its use in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in the EU. Drugs Ther Perspect 30, 342–347 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-014-0155-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-014-0155-z

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