Does Linzess help with weight loss?

Q: Does Linzess help with weight loss?

Linzess (linaclotide) is not a weight loss medication. Weight loss was not a commonly-reported side effect of Linzess during clinical studies. Everyone responds differently to medications, and you may experience weight gain or weight loss while taking Linzess.

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on Aug 20, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Linzess (linaclotide) is not a weight loss medication, even though some people have tried using it off-label as a laxative or for weight loss. Instead, it is FDA approved to treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Experts do not recommend using Linzess or other laxatives for losing weight because doing so can be dangerous. What’s more, laxatives are not an effective weight-loss strategy.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are looking for ways to lose weight. They can guide you to safe and effective options.

Does Linzess cause weight loss?

Weight loss was not a commonly-reported side effect of Linzess during clinical studies. Everyone responds differently to medications, and you may experience weight gain or weight loss while taking Linzess.

Can it cause weight gain from bloating?

Yes, Linzess can cause some people to gain a modest amount of weight from bloating. Bloating is a potential side effect of Linzess. Up to 3% of people reported feeling bloated after taking Linzess during clinical trials. Weight gain from bloating is due to your body holding on to extra fluid, and is usually temporary.

How does Linzess work?

Linzess is a guanylate cyclase-C agonist. It works to treat constipation by increasing fluid in the intestines and speeds up movement in the gastrointestinal tract. It also lowers the activity of pain-sensing nerves, which can help relieve pain due to IBS-C.

How does Linzess cause weight changes?

Some reasons why Linzess may cause weight loss include side effects, like stomach pain and diarrhea. If you experience bothersome stomach side effects, it may make you have a smaller appetite and eat less.

Linzess can also lead to temporary weight gain, since it can cause bloating in some people. This weight gain is due to water weight, and not from fat.

This is not all the information you need to know about Linzess (linaclotide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Cid-Ruzafa, J., et. al. 2022. Linaclotide utilization and potential for off-label use and misuse in three European countries. In: Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17562848221100946

Levinson, J. A., et. al. 2020. Diet Pill and Laxative Use for Weight Control and Subsequent Incident Eating Disorder in US Young Women: 2001–2016. In: American Journal of Public Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105%2FAJPH.2019.305390

Linzess [package insert]. Updated June 2023. Allergan, Inc. Accessed on August 20, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=09beda19-56d6-4a56-afdc-9a77b70b2ef3

National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Laxative misuse. Accessed on August 20, 2024 at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/laxative-misuse/

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Does Linzess help with weight loss?

Does Linzess cause weight loss?

Can it cause weight gain from bloating?

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