Both drugs are classified as guanylate cyclase-C agonists.
Linzess capsules and Trulance tablets are available only as brand-name products.
These two drugs are similar but are taken a little differently.
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Linzess must be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before a meal.
Trulance can be taken any time of day, with or without food.
Igor Alecsander / Getty Images
What Is Trulance?
The FDA approves Trulance to treat bothIBS-Cand CIC.
It is a guanylate cyclase-C agonist and comes as a tablet taken by mouth.
Currently, Trulance is only approved to treat adults.
It can be taken at any time during the day, with or without food.
Trulance is currently the only product in the United States with plecanatide as its active ingredient.
Therefore, no generic alternatives exist.
Due to this risk, it should never be used in children younger than 6 years old.
How Does Trulance Work?
Trulance works by mimicking the action of a peptide called uroguanylin that naturally occurs in the body.
This substance helps control the amount of fluid in your gut.
It also helps move food through your GI tract.
What Is Linzess?
Linzess is another guanylate cyclase-C agonist administered as a capsule taken orally.
Like Trulance, Linzess is approved to treat IBS-C and CIC.
It is usually taken once a day on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal.
This drug should never be used in children younger than 2 years old due to the risk of dehydration.
Linzess is the only product in the United States with the ingredient linaclotide.
Therefore, no generic alternatives exist.
How Does Linzess Work?
It may also help with pain by reducing the sensitivity of pain-sensing nerves.
Like Trulance, it may start working as soon as a week after you begin taking it.
Maximum effects, however, may take around six to nine weeks following correct daily use.
In an off-label setting, Linzess has been used for people diagnosed withobesityoreating disorders (ED)as alaxative.
Linzess capsules and Trulance tablets should be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed, whenever possible.
They work about the same to treat IBS-C and CIC and are similar in tolerability and side effects.
The following lists the side effects associated with Trulance and Linzess.
Trulance Side Effects
Trulance may cause side effects.
Summary
Trulance and Linzess are two orally administered, brand-name medications classified as guanylate cyclase-C agonists.
They may also help with abdominal pain by reducing the sensitivity of pain-sensing nerves.
Additionally, keep either drug out of reach of pets or children, if applicable.
Both of these medications have the potential to cause dehydration, especially in young children.
It is estimated that 1015% of adults in the United States have IBS.
DailyMed.Label: Trulance immediate release- plecanatide tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Linzess- linaclotide capsule, gelatin coated.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first treatment for pediatric functional constipation.
2012;5(5):569-585. doi:10.1586/ecp.12.39
American College of Gastroenterology.Irritable bowel syndrome.
