Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Amitiza vs. Linzess

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lubiprostone (Amitiza) and linaclotide (Linzess) are both medications used to treat constipation, including constipation related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct mechanisms of action. Lubiprostone is a chloride channel activator that increases chloride and fluid in the intestines, while linaclotide is a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist that raises fluid levels and speeds up food movement in the gut. Lubiprostone is available as a generic and is taken twice daily, whereas linaclotide is only available as a brand-name medication and is taken once daily on an empty stomach. Side effects of both medications include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Both medications can lead to severe diarrhea, but linaclotide has a specific warning against use in children under 2 years due to the risk of serious dehydration. Additionally, lubiprostone can cause low blood pressure and difficulty breathing, which are not associated with linaclotide.

  • Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
    Linzess (linaclotide)
  • Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
    Linzess (linaclotide)

  • Summary of Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Summary for Chloride Channel Activator
    Prescription only

    Lubiprostone (Amitiza) is a good option for treating various types of constipation if other medications are not working well enough. It's available as a generic, which may not be much cheaper if it's not covered by insurance.

    Summary for GC-C agonist
    Prescription only

    Linzess (linaclotide) is approved for people 7 years and older with constipation from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). It's also for adults with long-lasting or chronic constipation from unknown reasons. Children 6 years and older with functional constipation can take this medication as well. Linzess (linaclotide) belongs to a drug class called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. It's a capsule that's taken by mouth once a day. But diarrhea is a common side effect. This medication is currently brand name only; there's no generic version yet.

  • Indications of Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Indications for
    •Long-term constipation due to unclear cause (idiopathic)
    •Constipation due to opioids
    •Constipation due to irritiable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women 18 years or older
    Indications for
    •Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in people 7 years and older
    •Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults
    •Functional constipation (FC) in children 6 years and older

  • Pros and Cons of Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Pros and Const for Chloride Channel Activator
    Pros
    •Works in a unique way to treat constipation (it's the only medication in its class)
    •Treats constipation that hasn't responded well to other medications
    •Available as a generic form, though it may still be expensive
    Cons
    •Not approved for people with constipation caused by opioids for cancer-related pain
    •Not approved for children
    •Only available as a capsule that must be swallowed whole
    •Can cause nausea and diarrhea
    Pros and Const for GC-C agonist
    Pros
    •Only need to take once a day
    •Can start to see improvement as early as a week of taking it every day
    Cons
    •Must take on an empty stomach (30 minutes before a meal)
    •Can cause diarrhea

  • Common Side Effects of Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (>4%)
    •Diarrhea (>4%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Diarrhea
    •Stomach pain
    •Having gas
    •Bloating and feeling full in the belly

    Children:

    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood pressure and fainting
    •Difficulty breathing
    •Intestinal blockage
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not for children under 2 years old because of risk of serious dehydration
    •Severe diarrhea

  • Prices with our coupons for Amitiza vs. Linzess

    Learn more about Lubiprostone
    Learn more about Linzess

Compare other Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs

Amitiza vs LinzessIbsrela vs AmitizaLactulose vs AmitizaDicyclomine vs LinzessGolytely vs MiralaxIbsrela vs BentylIbsrela vs LinzessIbsrela vs MotegrityIbsrela vs TrulanceIbsrela vs ViberziIbsrela vs XifaxanLactulose vs FiberconLactulose vs MetamucilLactulose vs MiralaxLactulose vs SennaLactulose vs Senna SLevsin vs LinzessLinzess vs KristaloseLinzess vs MotegrityLinzess vs MovantikLinzess vs TrulanceLinzess vs ViberziMagnesium Citrate vs MiralaxMiralax vs ColaceMiralax vs Dok PlusMiralax vs KristaloseMiralax vs LinzessMiralax vs SennaMovantik vs MiralaxViberzi vs Motegrity
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.