A New Treatment for Chronic Constipation

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment option for chronic constipation.

It's called Trulance (plecanatide), and it was approved to treat chronic idiopathic constipation in adult patients. "Idiopathic" means the cause of the constipation is unknown. 

Trulance is available in tablet form and is to be taken once a day. 

The approval comes after the medication's safety and effectiveness were established in two clinical trials that included more than 1,700 adult participants. Those who received Trulance were more likely to experience an improvement in the number of bowel movements when compared to those who were given a placebo.

The most commonly reported side effect is diarrhea. In some cases, diarrhea may be severe. If severe diarrhea occurs, stop taking this medication and contact your health care provider. 

Plecanatide is not to be given to children younger than 6 because there is a risk for serious dehydration. Trulance is not recommended in those younger than 18 because it is not yet known whether plecanatide is safe or effective for that age group.

Plecanatide may not be safe for everyone. Those who have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction) should not take this medication. 

Trulance is manufactured by Synergy Pharmaceuticals.