In the study 60% of patients treated with Amitiza experienced a spontaneous bowel movement within 24 hours of treatment, and 80% experienced a spontaneous bowel movement within 48 hours of treatment.
Additionally, Amitiza, the first selective chloride channel activator approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation, showed improvement in long-term symptom relief of this disorder with significant improvements in constipation severity, abdominal bloating and discomfort for up to 12 months.
“These results are encouraging for physicians who treat patients with constipation because there are few treatments approved for chronic constipation that can be used long term,” said Satish Rao, professor of medicine and director, Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility at University of Iowa.
Constipation, one of the most common digestive complaints, accounts for more than 2.5 million doctor visits in the US each year according to the ACG.