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Has anyone taken the drug Constella for IBS?

Posted , 4 users are following.

meg29650
meg29650

My doctor has recommend Constella and gave me several samples.  I found the higher dose is too much,  and am considering taking the lesser dosage.  

This is a a fairly new drug in Canada, only having been approved in the last couple of years, but has been available in the United States for a longer time.  Pharmaceutical companies are handing out these samples to family practitioners to distribute as 'an easy laxative'  Easy?  NOT FOR ME - but it is a last resort.

I've been told that your body 'gets used to it', but am sceptical of that.  I take it when my regular laxatives don't work (periodically).  The continual cycle of constipation and the opposite  are a continual source of stress.

 

 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Anonymous111
    Anonymous111 meg29650

    Posted

    I dont think its used in the UK at all yet. Reading its mechanism I think its going to be good for simple constipation - not sure whether its going to be good for IBS, as it may increase spasms.
    • meg29650
      meg29650 Anonymous111

      Posted

      I suspect I was being used as a 'subject' for the samples. One wonders!  It's been used in the United States for some time, but has only recently been approved by our Health System.  Has violent effects, as if you are going for a colonoscopy, but works when nothing else does.

       

  • martin31040
    martin31040 meg29650

    Posted

    Hi yes I think laxatives can become problematic you gets sort of dependent on them, lactulose is one of the better laxatives it works on osmosis meaning draws water into the colon, but you should make sure you get enough magnesium in your diet, I take magnesium citrate about 400 mg per day magnesium has a laxative effect causing osmosis if you take to much, magnesium does all sorts of things in the body and most people are deficient, I have a redundant colon causing slow transit and magnesium citrate seems to stop stomach and intestinal cramping.
    • meg29650
      meg29650 martin31040

      Posted

      Hi - thanks so much for your reply… I normally use Lactulose, but it only works to a certain point, then my doctor gave me samples of Constella.  Supposedly, it's designed or IBS, but it is a very harsh laxative,

      I had no idea that I should be taking magnesium while taking Lactalose - I appreciate your suggestion and will get some.

       

    • pat35683
      pat35683 meg29650

      Posted

      Hello again Meg,

      I tried lactulose and found it gave me terrible wind/gas which I could only get rid of by having a professional colonic. Another example of how we all differ!

      Pat

  • pat35683
    pat35683 meg29650

    Posted

    Hello Meg,

    I'm in the UK and I've been prescribed Constella for the last couple of years. However, I'm not an IBS sufferer - I have (diagnosed) slow transit plus a long colon. All I can say is that Constella doesn't help me on it's own but it reduces the amount of pico liquid I have to take to "perform". I take one Constella capsule each evening - that's 290 micrograms of linaclotide - and every third night I take the pico liquid as well. I have an unsettled night as a consequence as the medication results in diarrhoea from about four hours later. Not ideal I know but at least I "go" which I wouldn't do otherwise! 

    Good luck,

    Pat

    • meg29650
      meg29650 pat35683

      Posted

      Hi Pat,

      Thanks so much or your reply.  I was wondering if you had harsh results from Constella at first, then, after time, your body gets "used to it".  I've just started on this drug and was surprised at its effects - I must say it does work, but was a bit concerned about the affect on the body.

  • pat35683
    pat35683 meg29650

    Posted

    Hello Meg,

    No, I didn't have any harsh effects at all. Initially, it didn't have any effect at all but I was taking it alone, without any other medication. When I decided to experiment, I found that coupling it with the other "stuff" worked in the sense that I could reduce the dosage of the other medication. The thing is we are all different and of course, I don't have IBS which may be a factor too. You could try lowering the dose although you would have to open the capsule which might be tricky!

    Hope this helps a bit and all the best,

    Pat

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