How long does Amitiza stay in your system? (+3 factors)

In this article, we will explore how long Amitiza stays in your system and what happens if the stay time is prolonged due to any factors or conditions involved.

How long does Amitiza stay in your system?

Amitiza (lubiprostone) stays in your system for about 15-24 hours. This is due to the lower absorption and faster elimination of Amitiza. The half-life of Amitiza is about 0.9-1.3 hours. This is the amount of time it takes for half of Amitiza to be removed or eliminated from the body (1).

Amitiza is not absorbed much into the bloodstream. Most of its amount moves through the digestive system untouched. Around 70-80% of Amitiza is removed from the body within 24 hours (2).

Amitiza is the brand name of the medication lubiprostone. Lubiprostone is an activator of the chloride channel. This action of Amitiza helps to increase the secretion of fluid in the intestines which makes it easier for the stool to pass. This is why Amitiza is used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (3).

If you have any concerns or queries regarding the use of Amitiza or any of its side effects then you need to have a detailed discussion and consultation with your healthcare provider.

What factors can affect the stay time of Amitiza?

There are several factors that can influence the stay time of Amitiza in your system. Some of them are discussed below.

Dosage

The amount of Amitiza you are taking affects the time it is in your body. Higher doses of drugs can cause increased stay time in the body. If you are taking higher doses of Amitiza or if you are taking it repeatedly then the drug will accumulate in the body leading to an increased duration of stay.

Metabolism

The rate of metabolism is a physiological factor that is influenced by certain other conditions including age, gender and overall well-being. The rate of metabolism determines how quickly a body can break down the medication which in turn influences the elimination of it. Individuals with faster metabolism have a shorter stay duration of Amitiza in their body.

Concurrent medications

Certain medications, if taken together with Amitiza, can affect the metabolism of this medication and influence the stay time of Amitiza in your body. The medications include the drugs that modulate cytochrome P450. Such drugs might include:

• Ketoconazole
• Clarithromycin
• Carbamazepine
• Rifampin
• Phenytoin

These medications might affect the breakdown of Amitiza and influence the stay time of Amitiza in your body. Taking Amitiza with alcohol can also be dangerous for you.

Individual health factors

Individual sensitivity is an important factor affecting the stay time of Amitiza in your body. Individual sensitivity may include medical conditions primarily the ones associated with kidney and liver functioning and these are the key organs responsible for the metabolism and elimination of certain medications from the body.

Reduction in the normal functioning of either of the two organs can result in increased stay time of the Amitiza in your body.

What are the potential effects of increased stay time of Amitiza?

The stay time of Amitiza may be increased if there are any anomalies or organ dysfunctioning in your body. Increased stay time of Amitiza may cause adverse effects.

If Amitiza accumulates in your system, the concentration of Amitiza in the boy increases. This may result in increased side effects of the medication like diarrhoea, nausea, bloating and abdominal pain (4). These side effects may become more severe and persistent as compared to the normal frame elimination of drugs.

If you have any medical condition regarding your kidney function, then the build-up of Amitiza due to a longer stay can further influence and affect your condition and further put a strain on your kidneys. In addition to this, increased stay time can also cause increased interaction of Amitiza with other conditions and concurrent drugs.

In my experience

In my opinion, Amitiza takes about 15-24 hours to get eliminated from the body but this is not a fixed time limit. The whole process of a drug staying in your system and getting absorbed or eliminated depends upon various factors and conditions of the body. These factors can play an essential role in determining the exact stay time of Amitiza in your body.

According to the provided evidence, Amitiza leaves your body rather quickly with most of it removed within 24 hours. If you have any concerns or queries regarding Amitiza then your doctors can guide you to the best about these situations. They can provide you with proper education and counselling and satisfy your queries.

References