What is Motegrity Uses, warnings & interactions
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Get started todayMotegrity (prucalopride) is a prescription medication that is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve impaired motility found in adults with chronic constipation. It is not approved to treat pediatric patients under 18 years of age.
What is Motegrity used for?
Motegrity (prucalopride) is not a laxative. It is a serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist that promotes spontaneous bowel movements in patients with a certain type of constipation. Motegrity is FDA-approved for the:
- Treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults aged 18 years and older
How does Motegrity work?
Muscles in your gastrointestinal tract contract and relax to move food along in a process called peristalsis. When this process is not working properly, you can have constipation. Constipation can be defined as the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, fewer than three times a week. It is estimated that 8 million Americans seek treatment every year for constipation, and 1 million are hospitalized.
Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is constipation that lasts for at least 3 months without any known cause. Motegrity works by increasing the wave-like muscle contractions. It does this by binding and stimulating 5-HT4 receptors to improve gastric motility.
What are the most commonly prescribed doses of Motegrity?
- 1mg tablet
- 2mg tablet
Before taking Motegrity
Before starting Motegrity, tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- History of depression
- History of suicidal thoughts or mood problems
- Kidney disease or other kidney problems
- Are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding
How to take Motegrity
- Read the Full Prescribing Information including the Black Boxed Warning, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide that comes with Motegrity.
- Take Motegrity exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it to you. Do not change your dose of Motegrity or stop taking this medication without first discussing it with them.
- Motegrity is typically taken once a day, with or without food. If you miss a dose, take it immediately. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the regular time.
- Store Motegrity in its original container at room temperature between 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F). Store Motegrity in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Always keep Motegrity and all other medicines out of the reach of children.
Motegrity contraindications
Motegrity is contraindicated in patients who have any of the following medical conditions:
- Hypersensitivity reaction to Motegrity or any of its inactive ingredients.
- Perforation or blockage of your intestines due to structural or functional disorders, or severe inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and toxic megacolon/megarectum.
Motegrity warnings
- Patients should be monitored for suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well as new or worsening depression. You should stop Motegrity right away and contact your doctor if you experience any thoughts of hurting yourself or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
- A decreased dosage of Motegrity is recommended if you have severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30ml/min).
Common side effects of Motegrity
The most common side effects of Motegrity include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Flatulence (gas)
- Fatigue
Motegrity can cause serious adverse reactions including:
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Allergic reaction
These are not all the possible side effects of Motegrity. Contact your doctor for medical advice about any side effects you experience while taking Motegrity. You can report your side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Motegrity drug interactions
Make sure your doctor is aware of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. They may interact and change how they work or increase the frequency and severity of side effects. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any possible drug interactions with Motegrity.
Motegrity alternatives
There are other medications that your healthcare professional can prescribe if Motegrity is not the right medication for you. Some alternative FDA-approved treatment options include:
How does Motegrity compare with Amitiza (lubiprostone)?
Motegrity and Amitza are both FDA-approved to treat chronic idiopathic constipation. Amitiza is also indicated to treat opioid-induced constipation in adults and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation in adult women.
Motegrity is typically taken once daily while Amitiza is taken twice a day. Motegrity is more likely to cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors while Amitiza can cause low blood pressure, fainting, and trouble breathing.
There are no clinical studies that compare these 2 medications. Both medications have gone through clinical trials that showed them to be effective in the treatment of CIC.
There is currently no generic alternative available for Motegrity but there is one available for Amitiza. Generic Amitiza has an average cost of around $400 for #60, 24mcg tablets while Motegrity costs approximately $575 for #30, 2mg tablets.
Motegrity FAQs
How long does Motegrity stay in your system?
Motegrity has a half-life of approximately 24 hours, so it will stay in your bloodstream for about 5 days after your last dose.
How do I store Motegrity?
Store Motegrity in its original container at room temperature between 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) away from moisture and direct sunlight.
How long does it take for Motegrity to start working?
In clinical studies with Motegrity, patients had their first spontaneous bowel movement within 1.4 to 4.7 days, compared with 9.1 to 20.6 days for patients taking a placebo.
Will Motegrity stop working after a few weeks?
While results will vary, improvements in spontaneous bowel movements were maintained through the 12-week clinical trials.
Can you take Motegrity while you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known whether the use of Motegrity is associated with adverse effects on the fetus. In animal studies with Motegrity, there were no adverse developmental effects observed. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women exposed to Motegrity. You can register by contacting MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies at 1-877-311-8972 or visiting https://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-studies/.
Motegrity is found in breast milk. This is no data on the effects it has on the infant or milk production. You should always discuss the risks and benefits of any medication with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Will lab monitoring be done when taking Motegrity?
There is typically no lab monitoring necessary during Motegrity treatment.
Is there a generic for Motegrity?
Currently, there is no generic for Motegrity available on the market. However, you can still save on brand-name drugs like Motegrity through NiceRx if eligible for assistance.
