Amitiza Precautions

Amitiza is one of the brand names of the generic drug lubiprostone. A type of laxative, doctors most commonly prescribe it to treat chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome that mainly presents with constipation rather than loose stools. While generally safe and well-tolerated, you must exercise certain precautions when taking Amitiza to minimize side effects and ensure safe use. If you experience any negative reactions while taking the drug, make sure to alert your doctor.

Taking Medication With Food

• According to Drugs.com, nausea ranked as the most common side effect among clinical trial participants -- 17 percent of those taking one dose of 24mg daily and 29 percent of those taking the same dose dose twice a day. Taking the medication with food, as Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.com) advises, appears to reduce this symptom.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• The Food and Drug Administration (fda.gov) has classified Amitiza under category C -- medications that could potentially harm an unborn baby. You will require a pregnancy test before using this medication and you should use a reliable form of birth control while taking Amitiza. Whether or not the medication gets passed in the milk during breastfeeding has not been established, so you should not use Amitiza if you are breastfeeding.

Contraindications to Use

• Do not use Amitiza if you are experiencing severe diarrhea. If you currently have or have experienced intestinal blockage in the past due to conditions like gallstones, Crohn's disease or diverticulitis, make sure to notify your doctor. You might not be able to use this medication; if you can, you might require special testing and monitoring.

Proper Use

• To ensure softer stools, drink at least six 8 oz. glasses of water daily while using Amitiza. If you miss a dose, just wait until your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.