Plecanatide

Plecanatide (brand name Trulance), is a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Plecanatide is an agonist of guanylate cyclase-C. Plecanatide increases intestinal transit and fluid through a buildup of cGMP. Plecanatide (brand name Trulance), is a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Plecanatide is an agonist of guanylate cyclase-C. Plecanatide increases intestinal transit and fluid through a buildup of cGMP. As of January 2017, Plecanatide is approved in the United States for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults. The presence of this condition is determined using the Rome III diagnostic criteria for chronic constipation which requires that the patient meet stool frequency, stool consistency, incomplete evacuation, and straining requirements in addition to not being a likely candidate for irritable bowel syndrome. The symptoms should also have been present for at least three of the last six months to establish the chronic nature of the condition before treatment with Plecanatide is indicated. Plecanatide has been shown to be safe and effective. It has shown to be at least equally as effective as its main competitor, linaclotide (brand name: Linzess), but has been shown to have a lower rate of diarrhea as an adverse drug reaction. Plecanatide has not been shown to be safe or effective in persons 6 years to 18 years of age. Use of Plecanatide by persons under the age of 6 poses a serious dehydration risk and studies have demonstrated Plecanatide can cause death in juvenile mice due to this dehydrating effect. Use of Plecanatide is also contraindicated in persons who are suspected of having a mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction.