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Drug Info

How long does it take Linzess to work?

It improves some symptoms within a week, while others will take four to twelve weeks for full relief
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By | Feb. 25, 2025 Medically reviewed by Youssef Ghobrial, MD
clock next to a bottle of pills - how long does it take for linzess to work

Key takeaways

  • Linzess (linaclotide) is prescribed to treat gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), and pediatric functional constipation.

  • Linzess usually starts to relieve constipation within about one week of taking the medication. Improvements in other symptoms, such as abdominal bloating and pain, typically begin within four to twelve weeks.

  • However, Linzess’s onset of action varies from person to person, depending on factors such as diet, the severity of symptoms, and individual metabolic rate.

In this article:

Linzess (linaclotide) is a brand-name medication that has long been FDA approved to treat chronic constipation from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). In 2023, the FDA also approved Linzess as the first treatment for pediatric functional constipation, a condition in children and adolescents that causes infrequent bowel movements and hard stools that are difficult to pass.

Linzess typically starts working within about one week of starting treatment. “This prescription medication works by attaching to specific receptors on the lining of the intestines, stimulating the release of substances that help maintain fluid balance in the gut, making stools easier to pass, speeding up digestion, and reducing bloating,” says Tamera D. Hughes, Pharm.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of clinical sciences at High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. She adds that Linzess can help ease stomach pain by reducing the activity of pain-sensing nerves in the intestines.

How long does it take for Linzess to work?

“Linzess is prescribed to be taken daily. Users who follow the manufacturer’s directions for dosage typically see relief within a couple of days,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and managing partner of Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants​.

Many people on this medication experience relief from constipation in about one week. Aside from treating constipation, Linzess may also relieve accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and discomfort in people with conditions like IBS-C. Evidence suggests that these abdominal symptoms may not improve until about four weeks of treatment. Also, these symptoms “should improve steadily after taking as directed for 12 weeks,” says Dr Rao.

A lack of improvement in one abdominal symptom does not mean the medication is not working or negates the possibility of it working for other symptoms. Still, not everyone will respond to treatment within this period. If, after 12 weeks, there is no therapeutic response to the medication, your healthcare provider may need to re-assess you or suggest you discontinue the drug.

How long this medication will take to work is still individualized and will vary from person to person, depending on factors like symptom severity and psychological health.

What can affect how long Linzess takes to work?

“Linzess works at different speeds for different people, and several factors can affect how quickly it works,” says Dr Hughes.

  • What you eat: It is best to take this medication on an empty stomach, ideally about 30 minutes before eating your first meal of the day. Taking it with food, especially a high-fat meal, can delay its action or make it less effective.
  • Medication timing: Taking it at the same time each morning helps ensure predictable results. Following the prescribed instructions or medication guide is the best way to ensure it works properly. Inconsistent use, such as a missed dose, can decrease the medication’s effectiveness.
  • Metabolic rate: Dr. Hughes explains that people with slower digestion, such as those with gastroparesis, may experience a delayed response, while those with a faster metabolism may notice results sooner.
  • Symptom severity: The severity of your symptoms is a factor, as chronic cases may take longer to improve.

You shouldn’t try to force faster results by changing how you take the medication, such as increasing your dosage without seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional. This could cause overdose, which increases your risk of side effects like diarrhea or other complications.

However, according to Dr. Rao, certain lifestyle changes can help relieve constipation and may improve how Linzess works, such as:

  • Staying hydrated to support bowel regularity
  • Increasing your fiber intake
  • Performing a gentle massage on your belly to help move your bowel content along

What is the standard Linzess dosage?

The dosage varies based on the condition you’re treating. “For chronic idiopathic constipation, the usual dose is 145 mcg once daily”, Dr. Hughes says. For irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, the standard dose of Linzess is 290 mcg once daily. However, Dr. Hughes explains that a lower dose of 72 mcg, once daily, may be used for those who need a gentler option based on their symptoms or how well they tolerate the medication. A larger dosage does not necessarily speed up the onset of relief.

Who should avoid taking Linzess?

According to the drug’s manufacturer, it is unknown whether Linzess is safe and effective in children younger than 18 with IBS-C or children younger than 6 with functional constipation.

Other contraindications for the medication include:

  • Babies younger than 2 years: It may be harmful to children under two years of age. It may cause them severe diarrhea, and they stand the risk of serious dehydration.
  • Pregnant people: Its safety for pregnant women and fetuses has not been determined. 
  • Breastfeeding mothers: It’s unknown if this medication is safe for nursing mothers and their babies
  • People with intestinal blockage: Linzess could worsen this condition.

Notably, Linzess is processed in the digestive tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream, so it’s unlikely to interact with other systemic drugs. While drug interactions are not common, its absorption may be affected in patients who suffer prolonged diarrhea.

In general, it’s best to let your healthcare provider know about any medication you are taking—including laxatives, vitamin supplements, herbal products, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs—before you start taking Linzess. This is to reduce the risk of possible side effects. For example, combining Linzess with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the incidence of diarrhea. Also, let them know about any other medical conditions you have.

The bottom line

Linzess is a medication used to treat certain forms of chronic constipation and gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal discomfort and pain, which occur in people with IBS-C and CIC. You can expect relief from symptoms like constipation within one week. However, other symptoms like abdominal bloating and pain may not improve for about four weeks. Factors like what you eat, symptom severity and individual body metabolism can affect this medication’s onset of action.