A-Z Indexes

Food

Health Guides

Health News

Lubiprostone

Precautions

Before taking lubiprostone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain stomach/intestinal problems (blockage, severe diarrhea), liver disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, but it may have undesirable effects (such as causing diarrhea) on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side Effects

Nausea, diarrhea, gas, vomiting, dry mouth, runny nose, cough, fever, headache, joint/back pain, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: swelling of arms/legs, mental/mood changes.

This medication may cause low blood pressure and possibly fainting. Diarrhea and vomiting may increase the risk of these side effects. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if any of these serious side effects occur: fainting, dizziness, severe diarrhea/vomiting.

Lubiprostone may rarely cause trouble breathing and chest tightness within 30 to 60 minutes after the first dose. This reaction is usually not serious and generally goes away within 3 hours. It may happen again with other doses. However, you may not be able to tell this reaction apart from a rare, severe reaction that also causes trouble breathing and/or chest pain. Get medical help right away if you develop any trouble breathing or chest tightness/discomfort/pain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.