Now, drug to treat constipation gains US approval

The drug named 'Linzess' was approved to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation as well as another condition called chronic idiopathic constipation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement.

'Linzess' is a capsule meant to be taken once daily on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before the first meal of the day.

The FDA said that the product helps relieve constipation by helping bowel movements occur more often.

For patients with irritable bowel syndrome, it might also ease abdominal pain, the agency said.

Chronic idiopathic constipation is a diagnosis given to patients who experience persistent constipation and don't respond to standard treatment.

"No one medication works for all patients suffering from these gastrointestinal disorders," said Victoria Kusiak, deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

"With the availability of new therapies, patients and their doctors can select the most appropriate treatment for their condition," Kusiak said.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 63 million Americans suffer from chronic constipation and an estimated 15 million people are diagnosed with IBS.

IBS-C is a subtype characterised mainly by abdominal pain and by hard or lumpy stools at least 25 per cent of the time.

The safety and effectiveness of 'Linzess' for the management of chronic idiopathic constipation also were established in two, double-blind studies.