LUBIPROSTONE

72/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by SpecGx LLC

Lubiprostone Adverse Events: High Nausea and Diarrhea Rates, with Serious Reactions

19,293 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About LUBIPROSTONE

LUBIPROSTONE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by SpecGx LLC. Based on analysis of 19,293 FDA adverse event reports, LUBIPROSTONE has a safety score of 72 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for LUBIPROSTONE include NAUSEA, DYSPNOEA, DIARRHOEA, CONSTIPATION, DRUG INEFFECTIVE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for LUBIPROSTONE.

AI Safety Analysis

Lubiprostone has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 19,293 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Specgx Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Nausea, Dyspnoea, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 67.2% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Nausea and diarrhea are the most common adverse reactions, with over 700 reports each.

Serious adverse events, including chronic kidney disease and renal failure, account for 67.2% of all reports. The majority of reports are from females, with a significant number of elderly patients (65+ years).

Patients taking Lubiprostone should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Lubiprostone is contraindicated in patients with chronic kidney disease and renal failure. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disorders, as it may exacerbate symptoms. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 72/100

Lubiprostone received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 67.2% serious event ratio across 9,104 classified reports. The score accounts for 19,293 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

NAUSEA765 reports
DYSPNOEA621 reports
DIARRHOEA581 reports
CONSTIPATION559 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE544 reports
FATIGUE519 reports
HEADACHE483 reports
PAIN483 reports
DIZZINESS440 reports
FALL399 reports
VOMITING381 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE334 reports
OFF LABEL USE318 reports
MALAISE312 reports
PYREXIA294 reports
ASTHENIA284 reports
PNEUMONIA277 reports
ANXIETY274 reports
DECREASED APPETITE261 reports
RENAL FAILURE259 reports
DEPRESSION256 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED254 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN246 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY242 reports
DEATH237 reports
INSOMNIA235 reports
ARTHRALGIA231 reports
RASH213 reports
CHEST PAIN209 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL205 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT203 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE202 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER200 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED198 reports
BACK PAIN196 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY196 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION195 reports
PRURITUS191 reports
COUGH187 reports
SOMNOLENCE186 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION185 reports
TREMOR183 reports
DEHYDRATION177 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS177 reports
ANAEMIA173 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED150 reports
HYPERTENSION143 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS135 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL135 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING131 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA130 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT129 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT126 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS124 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT124 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE122 reports
HYPOTENSION121 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED115 reports
SEPSIS113 reports
BALANCE DISORDER111 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS111 reports
DYSPHAGIA109 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE DECREASED108 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION108 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE108 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS107 reports
PARAESTHESIA107 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN105 reports
MIGRAINE105 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE104 reports
SINUSITIS104 reports
PALPITATIONS103 reports
BRONCHITIS102 reports
DYSPEPSIA102 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE102 reports
MYALGIA102 reports
SYNCOPE102 reports
ALOPECIA101 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED98 reports
CONTUSION97 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED96 reports
FLATULENCE95 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED93 reports
HALLUCINATION92 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE92 reports
ASTHMA91 reports
CHILLS91 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY91 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA91 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY88 reports
DRY MOUTH86 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED86 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION84 reports
HEPATIC FUNCTION ABNORMAL82 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED80 reports
INFECTION80 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION80 reports
ERYTHEMA79 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE79 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER78 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Chronic kidney disease and renal failure are key safety signals, with 334 and 259 reports respectively.
  • There are multiple reports of serious infections, including pneumonia and sepsis.
  • Off-label use is a notable safety signal, with 318 reports indicating potential misuse.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 5,915, Male: 2,538, Unknown: 35. The most frequently reported age groups are age 68 (156 reports), age 69 (140 reports), age 70 (140 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 9,104 classified reports for LUBIPROSTONE:

  • Serious: 6,120 reports (67.2%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 2,984 reports (32.8%)
Serious 67.2%Non-Serious 32.8%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female5,915 (69.7%)
Male2,538 (29.9%)
Unknown35 (0.4%)

Reports by Age

Age 68156 reports
Age 69140 reports
Age 70140 reports
Age 71140 reports
Age 76136 reports
Age 74133 reports
Age 67132 reports
Age 65130 reports
Age 63127 reports
Age 73124 reports
Age 75124 reports
Age 72123 reports
Age 66122 reports
Age 64121 reports
Age 55119 reports
Age 61116 reports
Age 54115 reports
Age 59114 reports
Age 62114 reports
Age 58111 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Lubiprostone is contraindicated in patients with chronic kidney disease and renal failure. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disorders, as it may exacerbate symptoms.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Lubiprostone, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, dyspnoea, diarrhoea, constipation, drug ineffective. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any gastrointestinal symptoms, especially nausea and diarrhea, to their healthcare provider. Avoid off-label use and follow prescribed dosing instructions to minimize the risk of adverse events. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of lubiprostone. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Lubiprostone?

The FDA has received approximately 19,293 adverse event reports associated with Lubiprostone. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Lubiprostone?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Lubiprostone include Nausea, Dyspnoea, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Drug Ineffective. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Nausea (765 reports), Dyspnoea (621 reports), Diarrhoea (581 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Lubiprostone.

What percentage of Lubiprostone adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 9,104 classified reports, 6,120 (67.2%) were classified as serious and 2,984 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Lubiprostone (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Lubiprostone break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 5,915, Male: 2,538, Unknown: 35. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Lubiprostone?

The most frequently reported age groups for Lubiprostone adverse events are: age 68: 156 reports, age 69: 140 reports, age 70: 140 reports, age 71: 140 reports, age 76: 136 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Lubiprostone?

The primary manufacturer associated with Lubiprostone adverse event reports is Specgx Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Lubiprostone?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Lubiprostone include: Fatigue, Headache, Pain, Dizziness, Fall. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Lubiprostone?

You can report adverse events from Lubiprostone to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Lubiprostone's safety score and what does it mean?

Lubiprostone has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Nausea and diarrhea are the most common adverse reactions, with over 700 reports each.

What are the key safety signals for Lubiprostone?

Key safety signals identified in Lubiprostone's adverse event data include: Chronic kidney disease and renal failure are key safety signals, with 334 and 259 reports respectively.. There are multiple reports of serious infections, including pneumonia and sepsis.. Off-label use is a notable safety signal, with 318 reports indicating potential misuse.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Lubiprostone interact with other drugs?

Lubiprostone is contraindicated in patients with chronic kidney disease and renal failure. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disorders, as it may exacerbate symptoms. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Lubiprostone.

What should patients know before taking Lubiprostone?

Patients should report any gastrointestinal symptoms, especially nausea and diarrhea, to their healthcare provider. Avoid off-label use and follow prescribed dosing instructions to minimize the risk of adverse events.

Are Lubiprostone side effects well-documented?

Lubiprostone has 19,293 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events, including chronic kidney disease and renal failure, account for 67.2% of all reports. The volume of reports for Lubiprostone reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Lubiprostone?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of lubiprostone. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to LUBIPROSTONE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

LUBIPROSTONEMedWatchFDA
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.