Plecanatide Medication Information

Get detailed information on Plecanatide, including pronunciation, uses, dosage guidelines, indications, and instructions on how and when to take it and when to avoid it.

The updated prescription information on Plecanatide provides an overview of possible side effects, precautions, warnings, and storage tips.

You'll also find brand names used in india and internationally, along with pricing details. For further clarification, consult your healthcare provider.

Generic Name : Plecanatide

Pronunciation : ple-KAN-a-tide

Therapeutic Classification : Laxatives

Trade Names/Brand Names of Plecanatide

India :

Trulance

Overview of Plecanatide

Plecanatide is a guanylate cyclase C agonist which was approved in Jan 2017 by US FDA for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults.

Why is Plecanatide Prescribed? (Indications)

• Plecanatide is an amino acid peptide which is prescribed for treating chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults.
(Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a condition of passing either difficult or infrequent stool that can last for nearly 3 months or more but one that is not caused by a disease or medicines).
• Plecanatide works as a laxative to promote a regular bowel function by stimulating the secretion of chloride and bicarbonate into the intestinal lumen. This increases the intestinal fluid and the gastrointestinal transit which in turn results in accelerating the movement of food and waste through the stomach and the intestines.

When should Plecanatide not be taken? (Contraindications)

Plecanatide should not be taken in patients

• Allergic to plecanatide tablets.
• Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract either known or mechanical.
• Children under 6 years of age because of the increased risk of severe dehydration.
• Safety is not established for the 6 to 18 age group.

What is the dosage of Plecanatide?

• The recommended adult dosage of plecanatide is 3mg taken once daily as directed by the physician.

How should Plecanatide be taken?

• Plecanatide comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth. The tablet should be swallowed as a whole with sufficient quantity of water.
• For the patients who have swallowing difficulties, the tablets can be taken by crushing and mixing with water or applesauce.
• It can also be crushed as a powder and mixed with water for administering through a nasogastric or gastric feeding tube.

For oral administration with water:
• Place the tablet in a clean cup and add about 30ml of normal potable or room temperature water. Gently swirl for nearly 10 seconds and should be taken immediately.
• If any residue or leftover found in the cup add another 30 ml of water, swirl and take immediately.

For oral administration with applesauce:
• Powder the tablet in a clean cup and mix with 1 teaspoonful of applesauce and consume all the mixture immediately.

For administration with water through a nasogastric or gastric feeding tube:
• Place the tablet in a clean cup and add about 30ml of normal potable water at room temperature. Gently swirl for nearly 15 seconds.
• Flush the nasogastric tube or gastric feeding tube with 30ml of room temperature water and draw the plecanatide mixture by using the syringe and administer immediately.
• If any residue is left in the cup add 30ml of water to the cup, swirl for at least 15 seconds and draw the plecanatide mixture by using the same syringe administer into the nasogastric or gastric feeding tube.
• After the plecanatide mixture administration is over, flush the nasogastric or gastric feeding tube with 10ml of water either by using the same or a fresh syringe.

Missed a Dose?

• In case a dose is missed, take the missed dose as early as possible if the time duration is very minimal.
• If it is of longer duration, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as per the scheduled time but do not take two tablets at the same time.

What are the warnings and precautions for Plecanatide?

• Safety and efficacy of plecanatide tablets in pregnant and lactating women are not established. Therefore administration requires medical judgement.

• Administration in pediatric patients is restricted due to the risk of serious dehydration.

• Treatment with plecanatide tablets should be suspended or stopped in an occurrence of severe diarrhea and rehydration should be initiated as soon as possible.

What are the side effects of Plecanatide?

Gastrointestinal: Mild diarrhea, flatulence, stomach bloating or tenderness
Respiratory: Sinusitis, sorethroat, cough, upper respiratory tract infection
Others: Fever, chills, headache, tightness of the chest, unusual tiredness or weakness, body pain, pain or tenderness, or pain around the eyes and cheekbones

What are the other precautions for Plecanatide?

• Avoid excess dose.
• Do not continue for long-term use unless otherwise medically advised.

What are the Drug Interactions of Plecanatide?

• Idelalisib (a drug which is used to treat certain blood-related malignancies or cancers) should not be taken with plecanatide as it may induce a serious life-threatening diarrhea.
• Diarrhea induced drugs should not be used together with plecanatide as plecanatide can increase the risk of inducing diarrhea.
• Drugs such as vitamins or herbal supplements can be used along with plecanatide only after a physician’s advice.

What are the storage conditions for Plecanatide?

• Store plecanatide tablets at room temperature (20 - 25° C).
• Do not remove the moisture absorbing desiccant from the container.
• Keep away from excess heat and moisture.
• Keep out of reach from children.