Trulance

Trulance is a prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome in adults.

Trulance belongs to a group of drugs called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. These drugs work by increasing the movement of food and waste through the intestines and stomach.

This medication comes in a tablet form and is taken by mouth typically once daily, with or without food.

Swallow tablets whole. Do not split or chew tablets. 

The most common side effect of Trulance is diarrhea.

Trulance is a prescription medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Constipation means having difficulty or infrequent passage of stools and "idiopathic” means the cause of the constipation is not known.

It is not known if this medication is safe and effective in those younger than 18 years of age.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The recommended dose of Trulance when treating chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is 3mg taken orally once daily.

Warning: risk of serious dehydration in pediatric patients

• Trulance is contraindicated in patients less than 6 years of age
• Avoid use of Trulance in patients 6 to 18 years of age
• The safety and effectiveness of Trulance have not been established in patients less than 18 years of age

Serious side effects have been reported with Trulance including the following:

• Life-threatening dehydration. Trulance should not be taken by patients less than 6 years of age.
• Trulance should be avoided in patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age. No data on safety and effectiveness in this group of patients.
• Severe diarrhea. Stop taking Trulance and call your doctor if you develop severe diarrhea.

Do not take Trulance:

• If you are allergic to Trulance or to any of its ingredients
• To children who are less than 6 years of age.
• If a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction)

Serious side effects have been reported with Trulance. See the “Trulance Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Trulance include the following:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach bloating
• Sinusitis (inflammation of nasal passages)
• Upper respiratory tract infections such as sore throat and common cold
• Stomach tenderness and gas
• Liver problems

Diarrhea is the most common side effect. In some cases, diarrhea may be severe.

Diarrhea often begins within the first 4 weeks of treatment. If you experience severe diarrhea, it is recommended you stop taking this medication and call your doctor right away. 

This is not a complete list of Trulance side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been studied by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Trulance.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication, but may not be representative of humans. 

As a result, it is not known if this medication will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Trulance crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk for both mom and baby when using Trulance during breastfeeding.