Linaclotide: evidence for its potential use in irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation

aclotide: evidence for its potential use in irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation Review (2445) Total Article Views Authors: Lee N, Wald A Published Date June 2012 Volume 2012:7 Pages 39 - 47 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CE.S25240 Received: 13 April 2012 Accepted: 01 May 2012 Published: 25 June 2012 Noel Lee, Arnold Wald Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA Abstract: Both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), characterized by chronic and recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, and functional constipation are highly prevalent gastrointestinal problems for which many patients seek medical advice. A diverse number of treatment approaches are currently recommended to treat persons with chronic constipation as well as patients with IBS in which constipation is the main gastrointestinal symptom (IBS-C). These approaches have had somewhat limited success, and many patients remain dissatisfied with available therapy. Recently, linaclotide, a novel intestinal secretagogue, which works by activating the guanylate cyclase C receptor on the luminal surface of the intestinal epithelium, has been demonstrated to be efficacious in patients with both chronic functional constipation and with IBS-C in a series of randomized, placebo-controlled studies in these populations. Evidence for this assertion is provided in this systematic review of the pharmacologic properties of this novel agent and the published pivotal studies which support the efficacy of this agent in targeted populations.