Amitiza

Amitiza is used for:

Treating chronic constipation. It is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in women.It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amitiza is a chloride channel activator. It works by increasing fluid secretion in the intestine, which increases intestinal muscle movement and helps you to pass the stool.

Do NOT use Amitiza if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Amitiza
• you have severe diarrhea or stomach or bowel blockage

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Amitiza :

Some medical conditions may interact with Amitiza . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea or a history of stomach or bowel blockage
• if you have liver or kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amitiza . However, no specific interactions with Amitiza are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Amitiza may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Amitiza :

Use Amitiza as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Amitiza by mouth with food.
• Take Amitiza with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• Swallow Amitiza whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• If you miss a dose of Amitiza , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amitiza .

Important safety information:

• Amitiza may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amitiza with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Amitiza should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• You should have a negative pregnancy test before you begin taking Amitiza . Discuss with your doctor the use of appropriate methods of contraception (birth control) while you are taking Amitiza .
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Amitiza while you are pregnant. It is not known if Amitiza is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amitiza .

Possible side effects of Amitiza :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; flushing; loss of appetite; pale skin; shortness of breath.

Store Amitiza at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amitiza out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Amitiza , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Amitiza is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amitiza . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.