A review of the clinical efficacy of linaclotide in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

Abstract

Objectives:

The aims were: firstly, to review the definition and diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C, a subtype of IBS); secondly, to critically assess current therapies for IBS-C with a focus on effectiveness for abdominal pain; and thirdly, to review clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of linaclotide, a therapy recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with IBS-C and chronic idiopathic constipation and the European Medicines Agency for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe IBS-C in adults, and in development for treatment of IBS-C worldwide.