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Trulance (plecanatide)

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By Editorial Team

2 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: March 2023

Trulance® (plecanatide) is a prescription drug approved to treat adults with irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C). It is also used to treat adults with chronic idiopathic constipation.1

How does Trulance work?

Trulance is an analog of uroguanylin, a substance that is naturally found in the body and plays a role in the amount of fluid in the intestines. Too little fluid in the digestive system can lead to hard stools and constipation, while too much fluid can lead to diarrhea. Trulance acts as a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist which ultimately increases the amount of fluid in the intestines, accelerates the intestinal transit (the movement of food through the digestive tract), and reduces constipation.1,2

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Side effects of Trulance

In clinical trials, the most common side effect experienced by people taking Trulance was diarrhea. Diarrhea can sometimes be severe, and if it occurs as a result of treatment with Trulance, it most likely occurs within the first 4 weeks of treatment. People who experience diarrhea while they are taking Trulance should stop taking Trulance and contact their doctor.1,2

These are not all the possible side effects of Trulance. Talk to your doctor about what to expect or if you experience any changes that concern you during treatment with Trulance.

Things to know about Trulance

Trulance should not be used in children less than 6 years old because severe dehydration might occur. Trulance should also be avoided in children ages 6 to 18. Safety and efficacy in this age group have not been determined.

People who have been told they have a bowel obstruction should not take Trulance.

Before beginning treatment with Trulance, people should talk to their doctor about all medical conditions and all medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, and supplements they are taking. Some drugs or supplements can cause negative reactions when mixed.

It is not known if Trulance is safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who plan to become pregnant or to breastfeed, should discuss with their doctor appropriate treatment options.1,2

For more on Trulance, read the full prescribing information.