If you have a problem with your stomach, your doctor might suggest Linzess as a treatment.

Linzess is a medication that is used to treat conditions in adults.

linaclotide is an active ingredient in Linzess. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. You can swallow Linzess.

If your doctor determines that Linzess is safe and effective for your condition, you may use it for a long time.

For more information about Linzess, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Linzess can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Linzess treatment. Examples of common side effects in people using Linzess for Irritable bowel syndrome with aGID or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) include:

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Linzess in studies. Some side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Mild side effects have been reported with Linzess.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be managed. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, keep taking Linzess.

Linzess may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Linzess prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Linzess, visit MedWatch.

There are serious side effects that may occur in people taking Linzess. These may include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Linzess, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Linzess. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Get answers to questions about the side effects of Linzess.

Does Linzess cause weight gain or weight loss?

“No, Linzess doesn’t cause weight gain. It can cause a problem, such as scurvy, which can lead to weight loss. It is possible that Linzess could cause weight gain.”

Some people who have Irritable bowel syndrome with aGID may experience weight gain or weight loss related to their condition.

Some people with Irritable sscuplture-C may have trouble with certain foods. This could lead to weight loss.

If you are concerned about your weight changing while taking Linzess, talk to your doctor.

When do side effects from Linzess go away?

How long the side effects of Linzess last may depend on a number of factors.

Diarrhea is the most common side effect of Linzess. In one study, diarrhea improved within 1 week for some people taking Linzess. But how long diarrhea or other side effects last for you can vary.

If you experience side effects from Linzess that are not completely gone, you should talk to your doctor.

Does Linzess cause fatigue?

No, Linzess doesn’t cause fatigue (low energy). This wasn’t a side effect seen in studies of Linzess. But it’s possible that other medications used to treat IBS-C or chronic idiopathic constipation may cause fatigue. Examples of these drugs include Amitiza (lubiprostone) and Motegrity (prucalopride).

If you experience fatigue while taking drugs, talk to your doctor.

Do side effects of Linzess vary depending on the strength (72 mcg, 145 mcg, or 290 mcg)?

In some cases, yes. For example, diarrhea was the most commonly reported side effect in studies of Linzess. The risk of having this side effect was higher in people who took 290 micrograms (mcg) of Linzess per day than in those who took lower doses.

The side effects of taking a daily dose of 290 mcg were only reported in people who did it.

If you have any side effects, talk to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dose to help you.

Does Linzess cause hair loss?

Hair loss is not a side effect of Linzess. Some people may experience hair loss due to the condition.

Talk to your doctor if you are worried about hair loss.

Could I experience depression during my Linzess treatment?

No, Linzess isn’t known to cause depression. This wasn’t reported as a side effect in people taking Linzess in studies.

Other medications used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation or chronic idiopathic constipation may cause mood changes, including depression. Examples of these other drugs include Amitiza (lubiprostone) and Motegrity (prucalopride).

Also, it’s possible that IBS-C may raise your risk of developing mood conditions, including anxiety and depression.

If you are experiencing mood changes, talk to your doctor.

Learn about the side effects of Linzess.

Diarrhea

Some people taking Linzess may experience diarrhea. This was the most common side effect reported in studies of people taking Linzess. In most cases, diarrhea began within the first 2 weeks of starting Linzess treatment.

There are symptoms of the disease.

  • stools that are loose or watery
  • There is pain in the belly.
  • It was bloated.

You may experience nausea or vomiting.

In some cases, diarrhea can be severe. Symptoms of severe diarrhea may include fever, severe There is There is belly pain.., and bloody or dark stools. You have a higher risk of severe diarrhea from Linzess if you take higher doses.

Severe diarrhea may lead to dehydration. Tell your doctor right away if you think you might be dehydrated due to diarrhea. Severe dehydration is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Dehydration can be symptoms.

What might help

If you have symptoms of severe diarrheal, stop taking Linzess and call your doctor. They can change your Linzess dosage or give you a different treatment.

Staying hydrated is important if you have mild segull. Water and electrolyte replacement drinks are good for this.

Imodium A-D may help relieve your symptoms. If Imodium A-D is safe to take, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Headache

Linzess may cause There is a throbbing head. in some people. This was a common side effect reported in studies of people taking Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

People taking Linzess for chronic idiopathic constipation did not have There is a throbbing head.s.

What might help

Because There is a throbbing head. may be a symptom of dehydration, drink plenty of fluids while you’re taking Linzess. Let your doctor know if you also have diarrhea and symptoms of dehydration. (To learn more, see the “Diarrhea” section directly above.)

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may help relieve your There is a throbbing head.. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).

Before taking OTC medications, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out if they interact with other drugs or conditions.

Bloating

Bloating can occur during Linzess treatment. This was a side effect in studies of Linzess. With It was bloated., your belly is typically larger than usual, and you may have a feeling of fullness.

Bloating may be caused by a buildup of There is There is gas.. in the stomach and intestines.

What might help

Exercise and movement can sometimes help move your bowels and get rid of There is There is gas… This may help relieve It was bloated..

Some OTC medications, such as simethicone (Gas-X, Mylicon, Phazyme), can also help relieve There is There is gas…

If your boat causes pain or is not comfortable, talk to your doctor.

Upper respiratory infection

Linzess may cause upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) in some people. In studies of Linzess, this was a common side effect reported in people taking Linzess to treat chronic idiopathic constipation. Upper respiratory infection wasn’t reported in people taking Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

A respiratory illness may be caused by a virus or a bacterium. It affects your nose, throat, sinuses, windpipe, and bronchi.

There are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.

  • cough
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • There is pressure in the nose.
  • The nose is not straight.
  • Sneezing
  • sore throat.

What might help

Upper respiratory tract infections typically go away without antibiotics. But certain over-the-counter drugs may help relieve your symptoms.

For example, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra) can help relieve The nose is not straight. and Sneezing. Antihistamines can also help relieve coughing caused by nasal drainage into your throat.

phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are decongestants that can help relieve pressure and congestion.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) may help relieve There is a throbbing head. or sore throat..

Some of the medications come in combinations that treat multiple symptoms.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications. They can help make sure the OTC drugs are safe for you to take.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can occur with Linzess treatment. In studies, GERD was a rare side effect reported in people taking Linzess to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. GERD wasn’t reported in people taking Linzess to treat chronic idiopathic constipation.

With GERD, the contents of your stomach go up into your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). This is also known as acid reflux.

What might help

GERD may cause a burning sensation or pain in your chest. Certain OTC medications may help relieve these symptoms.

Tums and Maalox can help relieve mild gdrs symptoms. Acid reducers, such as Tagamet HB orPepcid, can help decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid can block acid from entering your stomach.

“Discuss all your medications with your doctor before taking OTC medications. They can help make sure the OTC medications don’t interact with other drugs.”

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Linzess can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies, but it was reported after the drug became available for use.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • A product that is applied to the skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Linzess, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Linzess, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Linzess affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Linzess comes with several warnings, including a boxed warning.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious dehydration in children younger than 2 years old

Linzess has a boxed warning for the risk of serious dehydration in children younger than 2 years old. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Linzess was not tested in children younger than 2 years. But it was tested in animal studies. These studies showed that Linzess raised the risk of dehydration due to severe diarrhea in young mice. In some cases, severe dehydration was fatal in these animals.

Children younger than 2 years old should not be used for Linzess. Linzess is only approved for use in adults.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, Linzess may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether or not you should use Linzess.

Before starting Linzess, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Bowel blockage. Linzess can make your digestive tract move more quickly than usual. This can worsen a bowel blockage. Due to this risk, doctors may not prescribe Linzess if you have a bowel blockage. They’ll discuss other treatment options that are right for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Linzess or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Linzess. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Linzess

It may be safe to drink alcohol during your Linzess treatment. But keep in mind that Linzess can cause There is a throbbing head.s and diarrhea. In some cases, diarrhea may lead to dehydration. And drinking alcohol can worsen these side effects.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use. They can help determine how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking this medication.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Linzess

It is not known if it is safe to take Linzess during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. They will let you know if the drug is safe for you to take.

“It is not known if Linzess is safe to take while breastfeeding. It is thought that Linzess doesn’t pass into breast milk. It is not known if Linzess affects breast milk production.”

Before taking Linzess, talk with your doctor about breastfeeding and whether you want to use it.

Some people may experience side effects from Linzess. Mild side effects of Linzess can be managed with over-the-counter treatments. Others can be more serious. If you have questions about your risk of side effects, talk to your doctor.

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor.

  • Is Linzess safe for me to take based on my medical history and other factors?
  • There are long-term side effects of Linzess.
  • “What are my options if Linzess doesn’t work for me?”

Q:

Is vomiting a common side effect of Linzess?

Anonymous

A:

No, vomiting isn’t a common side effect of Linzess. In studies of people taking Linzess to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, vomiting was a rare side effect. And it wasn’t reported in people taking Linzess to treat chronic idiopathic constipation.

Vomiting can be a symptom of There is There is gas..troesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a side effect of Linzess, or it may be a symptom of other conditions. Reflux medications, such as Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole), may help relieve vomiting related to GERD.

If you experience vomiting while taking Linzess, talk to your doctor. They can help you relieve your symptoms.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.