Key takeaways
- Trulance and Linzess are prescription medications for adults that treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). They have similar safety and effectiveness profiles.
- Linzess is also approved to treat IBS-C in children aged 7 and older, and functional constipation (FC) in children ages 6 years and older.
- Trulance comes as a tablet and Linzess comes as a capsule. They are both are taken once daily and currently have no generic versions available.
If you have constipation caused by digestive system problems, you may want to learn more about the prescription drugs Trulance and Linzess.
Trulance and Linzess are both used to treat these conditions in adults:
- chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), which is long-term constipation with no identifiable cause
- irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
Linzess also treats IBS-C in children older than 7 years and functional constipation (FC) in children older than 6. FC is the same as CIC, but is the diagnosis given to children rather than adults.
Another difference is that Trulance comes as a tablet you swallow, while Linzess comes as a capsule.
Keep reading to learn more about how Trulance and Linzess compare.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
- Trulance:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: plecanatide
- Linzess:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: linaclotide
Trulance and Linzess are prescribed to treat certain kinds of constipation. The following table lists the kinds of constipation each drug treats.
| Conditions (indications) | Trulance | Linzess |
|---|---|---|
| chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults | ✓ | ✓ |
| irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults | ✓ | ✓ |
| IBS-C in children 7 years and older | ✓ | |
| functional constipation (FC) in children 6 years and older | ✓ |
The table below shows the dosages for Trulance and Linzess and how to take them.
Dosage for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC)
| Trulance for CIC | Linzess for CIC | |
| Form | oral tablet | oral capsule |
| Strengths | 3 milligrams (mg) | • 72 micrograms (mcg) • 145 mcg • 290 mcg |
| Dose for adults | 3 mg | 145 mcg (72 mcg may be used depending on tolerability) |
| How often to take | once per day | once per day |
Dosage for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
| Trulance for IBS-C | Linzess for IBS-C | |
| Form | oral tablet | oral capsule |
| Strengths | 3 mg | • 72 mcg • 145 mcg • 290 mcg |
| Dose for adults | 3 mg | 290 mcg |
| Dose for children 7 to 17 years | – | 145 mcg |
| How often to take | once per day | once per day |
Dosage of Linzess for functional constipation (FC)
The table below shows dosage information for Linzess prescribed for FC in children. Trulance is not approved to treat FC.
| Linzess for FC | |
|---|---|
| Form | oral capsule |
| Strengths | • 72 mcg • 145 mcg • 290 mcg |
| Dose for children 6 to 17 years | 72 mcg |
| How often to take | once per day |
How to take Trulance and Linzess
- You can take Trulance with or without food.
- You must take Linzess on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating.
- If you have trouble swallowing tablets or capsules, try the following tips:
- Dissolve Trulance tablets or the contents of a Linzess capsule by swirling a tablet in a small cup of water for at least 10 seconds. Swallow the mixture immediately.
- Crush Trulance tablets or open Linzess capsules and mix them with 1 teaspoon of applesauce. Consume immediately.
Like any drug, Trulance and Linzess can cause side effects. Most are mild and eay to manage. The table below shows some possible side effects.
| Side effect | Trulance | Linzess |
|---|---|---|
| mild diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| belly pain | ✓ | |
| bloating or tenderness in the belly | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | |
| gas | ✓ | ✓ |
| gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | ✓ | |
| headache | ✓ | |
| infection, such as the common cold or stomach flu | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea | ✓ | |
| vomiting | ✓ | |
| severe diarrhea (serious) | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction (serious) | ✓ | ✓ |
This table may not include all side effects of these drugs. For more information see the Trulance prescribing information and Linzess prescribing information.
While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Trulance or Linzess, it has been reported with both drugs since they became available for use.
For more information, see these Trulance side effects and Linzess side effects articles.
Like Trulance and Linzess, Amitiza is used to treat certain kinds of constipation.
All three drugs may be prescribed to treat CIC in adults and IBS-C. However, doctors prescribe Trulance and Linzess to all adults, and Amitiza only to adult females.*
Unlike Trulance and Amitiza, Linzess can also treat IBS-C in children ages 7 to 17 and FC in children 6 to 17.
A large study compared Trulance with Linzess for treating CIC and IBS-C. The researchers found that the drugs had similar effectiveness and safety for these uses.
Plus, American College of Gastroenterology guidelines recommend both Trulance and Linzess for treating CIC and IBS-C.
* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, your health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Trulance and Linzess are brand-name drugs. Neither is available as a generic at this time. You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than for generics.
Many sites offer prescription discounts for Trulance an Linzess. Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Examples include:
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Trulance and Linzess both have a
Linzess must not be prescribed (is contraindicated) for children ages 2 years and younger. For children ages 2 to 5 years, it is not contraindicated, but its safety and efficacy have not been established.
Trulance must not be prescribed for children younger than 6 years. Its safety and effectiveness in children ages 6 to 18 years has not been established.
If you start taking Trulance or Linzess, it is very important to store your medication in a place where children cannot access it.
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Trulance and Linzess have other warnings.
Before taking Trulance or Linzess, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have a bowel blockage
Maybe. Because Trulance and Linzess treat the same conditions, it may be possible to switch from one drug to the other. Most people are able to switch from Trulance to Linzess or vice versa right away, so there’s no interruption in treatment. (For some drugs, you may have to wait before switching to a new medication.)
Children taking Linzess for IBS-C or FC will not be able to switch to Trulance, as it is not approved to treat children.
You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it. If you’re thinking about switching constipation treatments, discuss the benefits and risks of doing so with your doctor.
If you have questions about Trulance or Linzess for treating constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are some examples to get you started:
- How will you determine whether Trulance or Linzess is a better treatment for my condition?
- If I have severe diarrhea from taking either Trulance or Linzess, what are my chances of having this side effect If I switch to the other drug?
- If my insurance changes and only one of these drugs is covered, how will it affect my treatment plan?
Trulance and Linzess both treat constipation in adults. Linzess also treats constipation in certain children.
The drugs may cause similar side effects, which are typically mild and easy to treat. Your doctor may suggest switching medication if your side effects cause a problem.
Your doctor can help you decide which drug is right for you, what it may cost, and how it might affect you.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication.
The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.