Linaclotide: A novel intestinal secretagogue for treating chronic constipation and constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Chronic constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are the common functional gastrointestinal problems which affect millions of people worldwide leading to increased health-care costs and impaired quality of life. Existing treatments have not been able to produce satisfactory results in 50% of the patient population. Drugs such as Tegaserod and Lubiprostone were also not clinically preferred because of cardiovascular adverse effects with the former and severe nausea causing intolerance with the later. Linaclotide is a first in class guanylate cyclase type-C receptor agonist, which has not only been found to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of chronic constipation and IBS-C but also has a positive impact on quality of life as demonstrated in placebo controlled clinical trials, with diarrhea as the most common adverse effect. This novel agent has recently been approved on 30 th August 2012 for clinical use in patients of more than 16 years of age.