How Long Does It Take Linzess to Work for Constipation?

If you have chronic constipation, you may have tried a number of over-the-counter laxatives and home remedies to get relief. But if these options aren’t cutting it, your healthcare team may recommend a prescription medication like Linzess (linaclotide). So how long does Linzess take to work?

It’s normal to wonder when you’ll start to feel relief with Linzess, especially if constipation has been affecting your daily life. Some people may notice improvements within a few days, but it can take longer for others. Here’s how long it takes Linzess to work and factors that can affect this timeline. 

How long does Linzess take to work?

Most people start to get constipation relief within about 1 week of starting Linzess. In clinical trials, around 30% of people had a bowel movement within 24 hours of their first dose. But for others, it can take several days to a week to start noticing results.

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Keep in mind that Linzess is FDA approved to treat certain types of constipation, including:

• Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults

• Chronic constipation without a known cause (chronic idiopathic constipation) in adults

• Constipation with no identifiable medical or structural cause (functional constipation) in children ages 6 to 17

Your prescriber may have you take Linzess off-label for a different reason, such as constipation from opioids. In these cases, the time frame for Linzess to work may be different. 

How long does it take to see full effects from Linzess?

Linzess can start working within a few days to a week. But it may take several weeks to feel the full effects, especially for symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and cramping. During clinical studies:

• Most people started getting constipation relief within 1 week.

• Improvements in abdominal symptoms began during the first week but continued to build over 12 weeks.

• Maximum relief — the best improvement in both bowel habits and abdominal symptoms — was reported between Weeks 6 and 9.

If you haven’t noticed meaningful improvement after 12 weeks of taking Linzess, talk to your prescriber. They can reassess your treatment plan and determine if changes are needed.

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Are there factors that can affect how long Linzess takes to work?

Yes. Several factors can influence how quickly Linzess works for you, including:

• How you take it: Linzess works best when taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before your first meal of the day. Taking Linzess with food may reduce how well it works. But if needed, you can open the capsule and mix the contents with applesauce or water if you have trouble swallowing it whole.

• Symptom severity: People with more severe or long-standing constipation may need more time to see significant improvement after starting Linzess.

• Diet and hydration: Drinking enough water and incorporating more fiber-rich foods into your diet can help support your bowel movements.

What to expect when starting Linzess

When you start taking Linzess, your body may need a few days to adjust. It may be helpful to track your symptoms over time to see how you’re responding to treatment. Here’s what you might notice during the first week or two:

• More frequent bowel movements: These are often looser than usual, which is a sign that the medication is starting to work.

• Less straining when using the bathroom: This can bring relief if you’ve had hard, dry stools.

• Symptom relief over time: You may experience gradual relief of abdominal discomfort, bloating, or cramping over several weeks. These symptoms may take a little longer to improve.

Diarrhea is the most common side effect when starting Linzess. For most people, it is mild and improves over time. But if your diarrhea is severe or persistent or affects your daily activities, contact your prescriber. They may adjust your dose or recommend other changes.

How long do you need to take Linzess?

Linzess is meant to be taken as a long-term daily treatment. And it’s not a onetime fix — Linzess works best when you take it consistently.

Still, there’s no set time limit for how long you should take Linzess. Your prescriber will help determine this for you based on how well it’s working and if the side effects are manageable.

Keep in mind that if you stop taking Linzess, your symptoms may return. Always talk to your healthcare team before stopping or changing your treatment. They can help decide what’s right for your long-term needs.

How to save on Linzess

Linzess is available as a brand-name medication. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer copay card or patient assistance program can help make your prescription more affordable.

• Manufacturer copay card: If you have commercial insurance, pay as little as $30 for a 30- or 90-day supply of Linzess.

• Patient assistance: Get Linzess at no charge if you qualify for a patient assistance program through the manufacturer.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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