Glossary
To learn as much as you can about your medical condition, it's important to be familiar with the commonly used language associated with it. This glossary provides a simple explanation of those words and terms.
B
Bowel blockage - Obstruction of the bowel may be due to a mechanical cause, which simply means something is in the way.
Bowel habits - Bowel habits are the time, size, amount, consistency, and frequency of bowel movements throughout the day. A change in bowel habits is any alteration in regular bowel function.
C
Chloride ion - A chlorine anion that forms the negatively charged part of certain salts, including sodium and hydrogen chloride salts, and is an essential electrolyte located in all body fluids responsible for maintaining acid/base balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and regulating fluid in and out of cells.
Constipation - A condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete.
D
Diarrhea - This word denotes not merely abnormal looseness of stools but also an increase in the urgency and frequency of defecation. An abnormally frequent discharge of semi-solid or fluid fecal matter from the bowel.
Dietary supplement - A product taken orally that contains one or more ingredients (such as vitamins or amino acids) that are intended to supplement one's diet and are not considered food.
F
FDA - Abbreviation for Food and Drug Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
O
Over-the-counter - Sold lawfully without prescription.
P
Prescription drug - A drug that can be obtained only by means of a prescription.
S
Side effect - An adverse effect occurring during the course of the use of a drug.
Supplement - Something that completes or makes an addition.
Indication
AMITIZA (8 mcg) twice daily is approved to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) in women 18 years of age and older.
Important Safety Information
AMITIZA is not for everyone. If you know or suspect you have a bowel blockage, do not take AMITIZA. If you are unsure, your healthcare provider should evaluate your condition before starting AMITIZA. You should not take AMITIZA if you have severe diarrhea.
AMITIZA has not been studied in pregnant women and should only be used during a pregnancy if the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus. Women should have a negative pregnancy test before beginning treatment with AMITIZA and need to practice effective birth control measures. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while being treated with AMITIZA, talk to your healthcare provider to evaluate the risks to the fetus.
Some patients taking AMITIZA may experience nausea or diarrhea. If nausea occurs, take AMITIZA with food. If your nausea or diarrhea becomes severe, tell your healthcare provider.
Within an hour of taking AMITIZA, a sensation of chest tightness and shortness of breath may occur. These symptoms usually go away within three hours, but may recur with repeated use. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms.
The most common side effects of taking AMITIZA (8 mcg) twice daily, pink capsules for IBS-C are nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These are not all the side effects associated with AMITIZA.
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems.
Please click here for complete Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
