Linzess can cause mild or serious side effects. They may vary depending on which condition the drug is used to treat. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Linzess. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
For more information about the possible side effects of Linzess, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Linzess, you can do so through MedWatch.
Mild side effects
Mild side effects* of Linzess can include:
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Linzess. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or see the Linzess prescribing information.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Linzess aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects* of Linzess can include:
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
Side effect details
Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Linzess.
Headache
Although headache was not a common side effect in people who took Linzess in clinical trials, it may still occur.
Headache was reported only in trials of people who took Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). People who took Linzess for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) did not report headache.
A headache can cause pain that’s throbbing, sharp, or dull. You may feel pain on both sides of your head or just one.
What you can do
If you have headaches that are frequent or bothersome while taking Linzess, talk with your doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter treatment option, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to ease your discomfort.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea may occur during treatment with Linzess. This was the most common side effect in people who took the drug in clinical trials. In most cases, the diarrhea wasn’t serious. However, there were reports of severe diarrhea.
Diarrhea occurred about as often whether people took Linzess for IBS-C or CIC.
Diarrhea was the most common reason that people were prescribed a lower dose or stopped taking the medication.
Diarrhea usually starts to occur within the first 2 weeks after beginning Linzess treatment.
Symptoms of diarrhea can include bloating, abdominal pain, and stool that’s loose and watery. With severe diarrhea, you tend to pass the stool more forcefully and more often.
Severe diarrhea can sometimes lead to dehydration if you lose too much fluid. Symptoms of dehydration may include:
- dry mouth or dry eyes
- feeling thirsty
- headache
- feeling dizzy
What you can do
If you have severe diarrhea while taking Linzess, talk with your doctor. They can help determine if you should continue treatment with the drug.
If you develop any symptoms of dehydration, see a doctor right away.
To help prevent diarrhea and dehydration, your doctor will likely recommend staying hydrated and consuming electrolytes. (These are chemicals that help keep your body hydrated.) Your doctor may recommend sipping water throughout the day or drinking rehydrating solutions such as Gatorade or Pedialyte.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Linzess.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
- trouble breathing
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Linzess, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Long-term side effects
Linzess isn’t known to cause long-term side effects.
Most of the side effects that people reported in clinical trials occurred only while they took Linzess. This means that side effects (such as diarrhea or bloating) may occur throughout Linzess treatment. It’s also possible that side effects could improve as you continue to take the drug. If your doctor has you stop Linzess treatment, the side effects should go away.
If you have any questions about what to expect with Linzess, talk with your doctor.
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