INTRODUCTION

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE contains Lubiprostone which belongs to the group of medicines called Laxatives. It is used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation, opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic non-cancer pain and it is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women above 18 years of age.

Constipation is a condition in which a person has uncomfortable or occasional bowel movements. Usually, a person is constipated when bowel movements result in the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, usually fewer than three times a week. However, normal stool elimination may involve a bowel movement three times a day or multiple times a week, it depends on the person.

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in patients having mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction or severe diarrhoea. Your doctor may take several blood tests prior to treatment with LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE to understand the existing condition.

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged 18 years and below) and should be used with caution in elderly patients.

The most common side effects of taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE are nausea, diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, tiredness, dry mouth and flatulence. Consult your physician for advice if any of the side effects worsen.

USES OF LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE

Treats,

• chronic idiopathic constipation
• opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic non-cancer pain
• irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women

HOW LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE WORKS

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE works by increasing the secretion of fluids in the intestine, which in turn increases the motility of the intestine, thereby making the stool soft, easier to pass and reduce the feeling of difficulty and uncomfortable bowel movements that occurs with constipation.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. The correct dose and duration for you will be decided by your physician for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea:

Take LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE with food. Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Diarrhoea:

Drink lot of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to treat diarrhoea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have lesser and more frequent meals. Keep a heating pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, contact your physician for advice.

Headache:

Drink ample amount of water and avoid skipping meals. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress-free. Apply pain relieving balm on your forehead if necessary. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Dizziness:

Lie down until the dizziness is gone, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully, do not hurry. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant women and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. Consult your physician before taking it.

BREASTFEEDING

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended to use in breastfeeding women as it is not known if it may pass through breast milk. Consult your physician before taking it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Do not drive or operate any machinery if you experience any side effects that may impair your ability to drive or operate machines.

LIVER

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE should be taken with caution in patients with moderate or severe liver impairment and your doctor may adjust the dose. Consult your physician before taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE.

ALLERGY

Do not take LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE if you are allergic to Lubiprostone or any other ingredients of this medicine.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE, inform your physician if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• methadone (used to treat pain and drug addiction)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE, consult your physician immediately or visit the nearby hospital. The symptoms of overdosage of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, flushing/hot flash, retching, dyspnea, pallor, stomach discomfort, anorexia, physical weakness, chest discomfort, dry mouth, increased sweating and syncope.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE out of reach of children
• Store at a temperature, not more than 25°C

FAQs ABOUT LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE

Can LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE cause diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is the common side-effect of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE. Avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to treat diarrhoea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Does prolonged use of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE cause dehydration?

Prolonged use of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE may cause dehydration. Severe dehydration may in turn cause weakness, fainting, tremors and blurry vision. Consult your physician immediately for advice if you experience these symptoms. Drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.

Who should not take LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE?

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE should not be used if you have a blockage in the digestive tract or have severe diarrhoea, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your physician before taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE.

What if I forget to take a dose of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE?

If you forget a dose of LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

Can I stop taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE on my own when I feel better?

No, do not stop taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE without consulting your physician even if you are feeling better. If you stop taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE, your symptoms may return. Therefore, for better and complete treatment, it is advised to continue the treatment for the prescribed duration.

Can LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE be used in pregnant women?

LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant women and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. Consult your physician before taking LUBOWEL 24MCG CAPSULE if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

REFERENCES

1. Keith A. Sharkey and Wallace K. MacNaughton. Gastrointestinal Motility and Water Flux, Emesis and Biliary and Pancreatic Disease. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological basics of Therapeutics. 13th Edition. New York McGraw Hill Medical 2018. Page – 929-930.

2. KD. Tripathi. Drugs for Constipation and Diarrhoea. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 675.

3. Brian E Lacy and L Campbell Levy. Lubiprostone: a novel treatment for chronic constipation. Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging. June 2008 [Accessed on 16th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2546479/

4. Nicholas Wilson and Ron Schey. Lubiprostone in constipation: clinical evidence and place in therapy. Journal of Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease. March 2015 [Accessed on 16th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4331234/

5. Hussain, Sunny Z, Labrum, Barrett, Mareya, Shadreck, Stripling, Stephen, Clifford, Robert. Safety of Lubiprostone in Pediatric Patients With Functional Constipation: A Nonrandomized, Open-Label Trial. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. November 2021 [Accessed on 16th June 2022] https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2021/11000/Safety_of_Lubiprostone_in_Pediatric_Patients_With.2.aspx

6. Takeda Pharmaceuticals. US Food and Drug Administration. [Revised in April 2008] [Accessed on 16th June 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/021908s005lbl.pdf

7. Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). [Revised in December 2016] [Accessed on 16th June 2022] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/PIL-2186716-23012017175134-636207907150093750.pdf

8. Par Pharmaceutical Inc. Dailymed. Lubiprostone. [Revised in April 2021]. [Accessed on 16th June 2022]. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=9d958b58-6c4f-4bb1-8660-cf5eac256440

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Complete Blood Count
• Colonoscopy
• Ultrasound

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Dr. R. Dinesh John Rajkumar, Pharm.D
Last updated on 30 Sep 2022 | 04:28 PM(IST)