Ibsrela (tenapanor) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults. As with other drugs, Ibsrela can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, gas, or bloating.

Ibsrela can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ibsrela in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Ibsrela use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ibsrela’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ibsrela include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Ibsrela and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Ibsrela. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Ibsrela may cause serious side effects. However, serious side effects of this medication were not common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ibsrela’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ibsrela, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Although Ibsrela is not approved for use in children, it has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after taking Ibsrela. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Ibsrela may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Ibsrela compare with those seen with Linzess?

Ibsrela and Linzess (linaclotide) are both medications that doctors can prescribe for IBS-C. Both drugs may cause similar side effects, such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

However, some side effects of these medications may also differ. For example, Ibsrela can cause dizziness, which Linzess isn’t known to cause.

In addition, Linzess can cause abdominal pain, which Ibsrela isn’t expected to cause.

For more information about the side effects of Linzess, see this article. Your doctor will help determine the best treatment option for you.

Can Ibsrela cause weight gain?

No, Ibsrela isn’t expected to cause weight gain. This side effect wasn’t reported by people taking Ibsrela in clinical trials.

However, it’s possible for Ibsrela to cause bloating. This is an uncomfortable, full sensation in the abdomen. Bloating may make you feel as though you’ve gained weight.

If you have concerns about weight gain during treatment with Ibsrela, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend ways to manage your weight.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ibsrela may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see Ibsrela’s prescribing information.

Risk of serious dehydration in certain children

Ibsrela has a boxed warning for the risk of serious dehydration in certain children. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts patients and prescribers about the risks of taking a medication.

Ibsrela may cause serious dehydration due to diarrhea, especially in younger children. Animal studies showed severe dehydration may occur in younger animals exposed to Ibsrela. However, animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans.

Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

What you can do

Due to this risk, Ibsrela is not approved for use in children of any age. The drug has not been studied for IBS-C in children ages 17 years or younger. Because of this, it’s unknown whether it’s safe or effective for this use.

If your child has IBS-C, talk with their doctor about the best treatment option for them.

Diarrhea

Ibsrela may cause diarrhea. In fact, this was the most commonly reported side effect in the drug’s clinical trials.

Diarrhea may occur on its own or in combination with other side effects, including bloating and gas.

Sometimes, diarrhea can be severe and may even lead to dehydration and rectal bleeding.

What you can do

If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with Ibsrela, talk with your doctor. Be sure to tell them how often you experience this side effect so they can determine how severe it is.

If you develop diarrhea that’s persistent, severe, or bothersome, your doctor may temporarily stop prescribing Ibsrela. Once your diarrhea improves or resolves, they will likely resume your treatment.

However, in some cases, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for your IBS.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Ibsrela can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Ibsrela. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions that you have or any medications that you take before starting treatment with Ibsrela. They can help make sure Ibsrela is safe for you.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious dehydration in certain children

This drug has a boxed warning for the risk of serious dehydration in certain children. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Ibsrela. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Bowel obstruction: Doctors prescribe Ibsrela for IBS-C, which causes regular constipation. This can lead to a fecal impaction or bowel obstruction when stool becomes stuck in the intestines. If you have a bowel obstruction, your doctor will likely want to treat it before they prescribe Ibsrela. After they treat the obstruction, they may prescribe Ibsrela or another treatment option for your IBS-C.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ibsrela or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ibsrela. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Kidney problems: Before you start taking Ibsrela, tell your doctor if you have a kidney problem. This drug may cause diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. In turn, dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalances, including high potassium levels. If you have a kidney problem, you may already have an electrolyte imbalance.

For this reason, it’s possible that taking Ibsrela may worsen your condition. Your doctor may want to monitor your kidney health more often during treatment with this drug.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding:If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, Ibsrela may be safe for you to take. Ibsrela works in the intestines and does not typically spread throughout the rest of the body. So, it’s unlikely that a developing fetus will be exposed to the drug. However, there isn’t enough data to be certain.

It’s also unclear whether Ibsrela passes into breast milk or how it may affect a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor. They’ll let you know whether it’s safe for you to continue taking Ibsrela during this time.

Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Ibsrela is likely safe for you to take. This medication is not known to interact with alcohol. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during your treatment with Ibsrela, talk with your doctor.

Typically, side effects of Ibsrela are mild. If you’d like to learn more about Ibsrela, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Ibsrela: For details about other aspects of Ibsrela, refer to this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about IBS-C and ways to manage it, see our IBS hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.