Water balance / Chloride secretion / Lubiprostone
CIC-2 Stimulant: LUBIPROSTONE
Mechanism of action
- activation of chloride channel ClC-2 → more Cl- secretion → increased water content in stool
- low systemic availability (only effects on channels on apical membranes of GI epithelial cells)
- originally developed --- and still being investigated for use as -- a prokinetic drug
Therapeutic uses
-
LUBIPROSTONE is used to treat chronic, idioptathic constipation and constipation-predominant IBS
Side effects
- diarrhea
- nausea and headache in ~30% of patients (due to delayed gastric emptying)
- increased fetal loss (animals), therefore considered a class C agent (don't use in pregnant women)