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Alosetron Coupon - Alosetron 0.5mg tablet

alosetron

Generic Lotronex
Used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Alosetron (Lotronex) is a serotonin antagonist. It's used to treat severe irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adult females. But alosetron (Lotronex) isn't a first-choice option and is typically only prescribed when other treatments haven't worked well. Alosetron (Lotronex) comes as tablets that are taken by mouth, typically twice a day. Some common side effects include constipation, stomach pain, and nausea. It's available under the brand name Lotronex and as a lower-cost generic.

Last reviewed on September 25, 2024
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What is Alosetron (Lotronex)?

What is Alosetron (Lotronex) used for?

How Alosetron (Lotronex) works

Alosetron (Lotronex) is a selective serotonin 5-HT3 antagonist. It works by blocking serotonin (a signaling protein) from binding to its receptors the gut that are involved in pain and secretions. This helps ease stomach discomfort, pain, and diarrhea.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsLotronex
Drug ClassAntidiarrheal
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$1399.68(save 94.52%)
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$76.70
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What are the side effects of Alosetron (Lotronex)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation (29%)
  • Abdominal discomfort and pain (7%)
  • Nausea (6%)

Other Side Effects

  • Bloating
  • Heartburn, acid reflux
  • Hemorrhoids

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Ischemic colitis: fever, bloating, worsening stomach pain, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, bloody diarrhea
  • Severe constipation

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Constipation

Rare

Bloody diarrhea

new or worsening stomach pain or discomfort

rectal bleeding

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning

black, tarry stools

diarrhea

fever

heartburn

indigestion

nausea

vomiting with or without blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Clumsiness, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

convulsions (seizures)

difficulty breathing

shakiness and unsteady walk

withdrawn or socially detached behavior

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Bleeding after bowel movement

full or bloated feeling

pressure in the stomach

swelling of abdominal or stomach area

uncomfortable swelling around rectal area

Incidence not known

Headache

skin rash

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Alosetron (Lotronex)

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Pros

Might be a good option if other medications haven't worked for diarrhea

Available as a lower-cost generic

Not a controlled medication, like some other antidiarrheals

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Cons

Not currently FDA approved for males

Can't be used in people with serious liver or gut conditions

Must be taken twice a day

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Alosetron (Lotronex)

pharmacist
  • You can take alosetron (Lotronex) with or without food.

    • Tell your prescriber if you're still having diarrhea after taking alosetron (Lotronex) for a month. They might need to raise your dose or talk with you about other options.

      • Stop taking alosetron (Lotronex) and contact your prescriber if you start having constipation, bloody diarrhea, or blood in your stool. This could be a sign of a more serious problem with your gut.

        • If you've had constipation while taking alosetron (Lotronex), your prescriber might lower your dose or ask you to stop taking it. Don't restart alosetron (Lotronex) unless your prescriber says it's safe to do so. Typically, they'll ask you to wait until you're no longer constipated.

          • Make sure your care team has a full list of the medications you're taking so they can check for interactions with alosetron (Lotronex). You can't take alosetron (Lotronex) with certain medications, such as fluvoxamine, because doing so can raise the level of alosetron (Lotronex) in your body and put you at higher risk for constipation and other serious gut problems.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Alosetron (Lotronex)

            Why is alosetron (Lotronex) only used in females?
            Alosetron (Lotronex) is currently only FDA approved for females with IBS-D. Research shows that alosetron (Lotronex) can help manage symptoms of IDS-D in females, but the results for males are more mixed. Some research suggests that alosetron (Lotronex) can help males with IBS-D, while other studies show that it doesn't really make a difference in their symptoms. Talk with your healthcare team if you have more questions about alosetron (Lotronex).
            Can males take alosetron (Lotronex)?
            Alosetron (Lotronex) isn't FDA-approved for males. Based on current evidence, experts only recommend for females who have severe IBS-D.
            How well does alosetron (Lotronex) work?
            In several 3-month long studies, females who took alosetron (Lotronex) for severe IBS-D reported firmer stools, less bowel movements per day, and less frequent urges to have a bowel movement, compared to females who took placebo. In addition, a longer study that lasted 11 months showed that more females who took alosetron (Lotronex) experienced relief from pain, discomfort, and other IBS-D symptoms compared to females who took placebo.
            How long before alosetron (Lotronex) becomes effective?
            Alosetron (Lotronex) doesn't work right away for diarrhea, like loperamide (Imodium A-D) or other "as-needed" medications. You might notice improvement in your IBS symptoms within the first week of starting alosetron (Lotronex). But it can take up to a month to see the full benefits of this medication. If you still don't feel improvement in your symptoms after a month of treatment, talk to your prescriber about raising the dose or changing to a different medication.
            Can I take alosetron (Lotronex) if I have Crohn's disease?
            No, you can't take alosetron (Lotronex) if you have Crohn's disease. Talk to your gastroenterologist about alternative treatment options.
            What are some medications that interact with alosetron (Lotronex)?
            Alosetron (Lotronex) interacts with many medications. For example, you can't take alosetron (Lotronex) with fluvoxamine, a medication used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is because fluvoxamine raises the levels of alosetron (Lotronex) in the body and puts you at higher risk for constipation and other serious gut-related problems. Share a list of your current medications with your care team so they can help you check for potential interactions.
            How does alosetron (Lotronex) interfere with birth control?
            Studies suggest that alosetron (Lotronex) doesn't interact with birth control pills. However, diarrhea (such as from IBS) can sometimes affect how well medications are absorbed. This includes birth control pills. Talk to your healthcare professional about how diarrhea can affect how well your birth control method is working for you.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Alosetron (Lotronex)?

            Alosetron (Lotronex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Serious gut problems

            • Risk factors: Taking other medications that can cause constipation

              Constipation is one of the more common side effects of alosetron (Lotronex). If left untreated, constipation can lead to serious complications, including gut block. To lower the risk of constipation, your prescriber will have you take the lowest dose of alosetron (Lotronex) needed to treat your condition. If you experience constipation with alosetron (Lotronex), your prescriber will ask you to stop treatment. Depending on your condition, your prescriber might ask you to restart alosetron (Lotronex) once the constipation gets better, or ask you to consider other treatment options.

              Though rare, some people who took alosetron (Lotronex) have also reported ischemic colitis, a potentially life-threatening condition where there isn't enough blood flow to the intestines. Symptoms of ischemic colitis include bloating, bloody stools or diarrhea, and worsening stomach pain. Stop taking alosetron (Lotronex) and get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of ischemic colitis. You won't be able to take alosetron (Lotronex) if you experience ischemic colitis.

              dosage

              Alosetron (Lotronex) dosage forms

              The average cost for 60 tablets of 0.5mg of Alosetron (Lotronex) is $76.70 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 94.52% off the average retail price of $1399.68.
              tablet
              Tablet
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              0.5mg60 tablets$76.70$1.28
              1mg60 tablets$137.96$2.30

              Typical dosing for Alosetron (Lotronex)

              Adults: The typical starting dose is 0.5 mg by mouth two times a day. After a month of treatment, your prescriber might raise your dose to 1 mg two times a day, if needed.

              interactions

              Interactions between Alosetron (Lotronex) and other drugs

              Alosetron (Lotronex) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Alosetron (Lotronex). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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              How much does Alosetron (Lotronex) cost?

              To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.View prices & coupons
              contraindications-icon

              Alosetron (Lotronex) contraindications

              Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Alosetron (Lotronex) will not be safe for you to take.
              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Alosetron (Lotronex)?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Alosetron (Lotronex). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Alosetron (Lotronex)
              Used for:
              $76.70 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Used for:
              • Controlling symptoms of diarrhea - OTC and prescription

              • Controlling diarrhea related to chronic gut-related conditions - prescription only

              • Lowering the amount of discharge from an ileostomy - prescription only

              $5.71 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              images

              Alosetron (Lotronex) images

              White Oval An248 - Alosetron Hydrochloride 0.5mg Tablet
              This medicine is White, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "An248".White Oval An248 - Alosetron Hydrochloride 0.5mg Tablet

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              References

              Best studies we found

              Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC. (2023). Alosetron hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Butt, I., et al. (2024). Alosetron. StatPearls.

              Camilleri, M., et al. (2001). A randomized controlled clinical trial of the serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist alosetron in women with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Archives of Internal Medicine.

              View All References (5)
              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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