Trulance (plecanatide) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of constipation in adults. These include:

Trulance is available as an oral tablet. It belongs to a group of drugs called guanylate cyclase-C agonists.

At this time, Trulance is only available as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available as a generic version.

Dosage summary

The following chart summarizes Trulance’s dosage. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Trulance formTrulance strengthTypical dosage
oral tablet3 milligrams (mg)3 mg once daily

For information about the dosage of Trulance, including its strength and administration, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Trulance and possible benefits of treatment, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Trulance provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Trulance, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will recommend the best dosage of Trulance for you. Below are the usual recommended dosages of Trulance.

Trulance form

Trulance comes as an oral tablet.

Trulance strength

Trulance is available in one strength: 3 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosage options that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for chronic idiopathic constipation

The recommended dosage of Trulance for chronic idiopathic constipation is 3 mg once daily. This is also the maximum dose of Trulance.

Dosage for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

The recommended dosage of Trulance for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is 3 mg once daily. This is also the maximum dose of Trulance.

Long-term treatment

Trulance is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Trulance is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Trulance.

Does my dosage affect how long it takes Trulance to work?

Trulance is only available in one dosage, 3 milligrams (mg) once daily. Your doctor won’t likely prescribe you a different dosage.

Even so, you may wonder how quickly Trulance starts working. This medication may work to reduce your constipation as quickly as 1 week after starting treatment.

If you have additional questions about your dosage of Trulance and how long it should take to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Trulance available over the counter?

No, Trulance is not available over the counter. This medication is available by prescription only.

If you’re looking for over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend OTC medications such as MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol).

If you’re interested in taking Trulance, talk with your doctor about writing a prescription for you.

Does Trulance help with pain?

Yes, Trulance can help with abdominal pain that’s related to constipation. The drug is approved to treat chronic idiopathic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults. So, it may help relieve pain associated with your condition.

However, Trulance is not a pain reliever. It will not help with treating other types of pain. If you have questions about how to treat other types of pain, talk with your doctor.

You’ll take your dose of Trulance once per day by mouth. You can take it with or without food.

It may be helpful to take Trulance around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so it can work effectively.

Be sure to swallow your Trulance tablet whole. If you have trouble swallowing Trulance, you can crush it and mix it with applesauce or water:

  • To take Trulance with applesauce, crush the tablet and mix it with 1 teaspoon of applesauce. Then eat the mixture right away.
  • To take Trulance with water, pour 30 milliliters (mL), about 2 tablespoons, of water into a cup. Place a Trulance tablet into the water and swirl it for at least 10 seconds. Then swallow the water mixture right away. If you see any tablet left in the cup, add another 30 mL of water to the cup and repeat the process.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, read this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Trulance can also be given through certain types of feeding tubes as needed.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Trulance in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Trulance, skip your missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses of Trulance at once to make up for a missed dose.

If you missed your dose of Trulance and you’re unsure when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Trulance than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Trulance

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Trulance. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Trulance for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Trulance without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Trulance that’s best for you or if you need assistance, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Trulance. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Trulance. For information about other aspects of Trulance, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Trulance compares with Linzess, read this article.
  • Details about your condition. For details about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), see our IBS hub and list of articles. You can also view our constipation articles.

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.