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Amitza Lubiprostone 8 ug Capsule, Gelatin Coated, 60-count — NDC 72189-410-60 (Billing 72189-0410-60)

by Direct_Rx · 60 CAPSULE, GELATIN COATED in 1 BOTTLE

This is a package of 60 capsules of Amitza Lubiprostone 8 ug Capsule, Gelatin Coated from Direct_Rx, marketed since Jan 2023 and currently FDA-listed. It is this product's only package size.

NDC 72189-0410-60
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 72189-410-60 billing pads the product segment with a zero
Rx only Generic On market Non-controlled ⇄ Compare with another NDC
🗂️ FDA directory synced Oct 1, 2026 · this listing last changed Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

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Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

Identity & classification

Regulatory identifiers FDA, NLM and CMS codes for this package

FDA NDC (as labeled) 72189-410-60
Product NDC 72189-410
11-digit billing NDC 72189041060
NCPDP billing unit EA — each (per item)
UNII 7662KG2R6K
Application # ANDA209920
SPL Set ID f2121338-9586-161d-e053-2995a90af908
Established class (EPC) Chloride Channel Activator
Mechanism of action Chloride Channel Activators
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category ANDA
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2023-01-12
Route ORAL
Dosage form CAPSULE, GELATIN COATED
Substance LUBIPROSTONE
TE code (Orange Book) AB · RLD · RS

Drug-database identifiers Medi-Span GPI and First Databank GCN / HICL / AHFS classification

GCN Seq No 063946
GCN 99658
HICL code 033451
Ingredient (HICL) Lubiprostone
HIC1 code D
Therapeutic class — broad (HIC1) Biliary System/Gastro-Intestinal System
HIC2 code D6
Therapeutic class — intermediate (HIC2) Drugs Acting Principally On The Colon
HIC3 code D6S
Therapeutic class — specific (HIC3) Laxatives And Cathartics
AHFS code 56:18.08.00
AHFS class Chloride Channel Activators
FDB label name LUBIPROSTONE 8 MCG CAPSULE
FDB brand name Lubiprostone
Legend status F — Federal legend — prescription drug or device
Quick answers
  • GSN (GCN sequence number): 063946
  • GCN: 99658
  • HICL (First Databank): 033451
  • AHFS class code: 56:18.08.00
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 72189-410-60 — a 5-3-2 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the product segment → 72189-0410-60. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

Clinical

Label name LUBIPROSTONE 8 MCG CAPSULE Ingredient Lubiprostone
📖 What it is MedlinePlus · NLM

Lubiprostone is used to relieve stomach pain, bloating, and straining and produce softer and more frequent bowel movements in people who have chronic idiopathic constipation (difficult or infrequent passage of stools that lasts for 3 months or longer and is not caused by a disease or a medication). Lubiprostone is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C; a condition that causes stomach pain or cramps, bloating, and infrequent or difficult passage of stools) in women who are at least 18 years of age. Lubiprostone is also used to treat constipation caused by certain...

Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗
📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • It treats long-lasting constipation with no known cause in adults. It also treats constipation caused by opioid pain medicines in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. In women 18 a...
  • Take your capsule by mouth with food and water, and swallow it whole. Don't chew or break it. It's usually taken twice a day, but follow your prescriber's directions for your dose.
  • Nausea is the most common side effect, and taking it with food may help. Diarrhea, headache, belly pain, bloating, and gas can also happen. Call your doctor if the diarrhea is seve...
  • Call if you faint or feel very lightheaded, or if you get chest tightness or trouble breathing. These can happen within an hour of a dose and may come back with later doses. Severe...
📖 Read our full Lubiprostone guide →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer eachPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startMarketing endStatus
72189-0410-60 You're viewing this Main listing 60 CAPSULE, GELATIN COATED in 1 BOTTLE 2023-01-12 — Active

Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Lubiprostone 8 ug 00254-3028-02 Par 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 00480-3479-06 Teva 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone .008 mg 31722-0403-60 Camber 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 43598-0163-60 Dr. 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 60687-0816-32 American 1 capsule $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 63304-0351-60 Sun 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 69339-0162-17 Natco 40 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone .008 mg 72603-0288-01 Northstar 60 capsules $0.565 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 65162-0841-06 Amneal 60 capsules $0.716 AB Discontinued —
Amitiza 8 ug 23635-0508-60 SpecGx 60 capsules $6.468 AB Availability likely —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 00406-6408-60 SpecGx 60 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 51407-0744-60 Golden 60 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 70710-1641-01 Zydus 100 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 70771-1763-01 Zydus 100 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 71205-0831-00 Proficient 100 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Amitza 8 ugthis 72189-0410-60 Direct_Rx 60 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 76420-0777-01 Asclemed 100 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 76420-0906-01 Asclemed 100 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Lubiprostone 8 ug 80425-0354-02 Advanced 60 capsules — AB FDA listed —
Amitiza 8 ug 64764-0080-40 Takeda 4 capsules — AB Discontinued —
About this product: this is a generic version of the medicine. FDA equivalence ratings are shown when available, and other versions are listed above, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & generic status

🏛️
2023
On the market since
Jan 2023
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
3 years listed
🔓
·
Generic on the market
this product is a generic
✅This is a generic drug

This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

What it looks like

Color pink
ShapeOval
ImprintA08
Size9 mm
ScoringNot scored
One label can cover several strengths, so colors may be combined — always confirm a loose pill against the dispensed prescription label or a pharmacist.
Where does this data come from?
Physical description (imprint, shape, color, scoring, coating) from this product’s FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL), mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA.

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • UNII 1K09F3G675
    Ferric oxide red is an inorganic iron compound used as a colorant in medicines. It gives tablets, capsules, or other dosage forms a red or reddish tint for identification and appearance.
  • UNII XM0M87F357
    A dark iron oxide compound that gives medicines their black or dark color. It's used as a colorant in tablets and capsules to help identify the product and make it visually distinctive.
  • UNII 2G86QN327L
    Gelatin is a protein derived from animal collagen, commonly used in medicines as a gelling agent and capsule material. It helps create soft or hard capsule shells that hold and release medication, and can also thicken liquid formulations.
  • UNII 3NXW29V3WO
    Hypromellose is a plant-based thickener made from cellulose. It's used in medicines as a binder to hold ingredients together, a coating for tablets, and a thickener for liquids.
  • UNII 1DI56QDM62
    A natural fatty substance from soybeans that helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together. It acts as an emulsifier and lubricant in medicines to improve texture and help the product break down properly in your body.
  • UNII C9H2L21V7U
    A fat derived from coconut or palm oil containing shorter fatty acid chains. It serves as a solvent and carrier to help dissolve or suspend active ingredients, improving absorption and stability in liquid formulations.
  • UNII 6DC9Q167V3
    Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
  • UNII 8KW3E207O2
    A liquid sweetener made from sorbitol, a sugar alcohol derived from glucose. It sweetens the medicine and also acts as a humectant to help retain moisture and improve texture in liquid formulations.
  • UNII 15FIX9V2JP
    Titanium dioxide is a bright white mineral powder commonly used as a colorant and opacifying agent. It makes pills and tablets white or lighter in color and helps make coatings non-transparent.
  • UNII 059QF0KO0R
    Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.

10 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed — ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerDirect_Rx
Application holderTEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC
FDA applicationANDA209920 (ANDA)
Labeler code72189
First marketedJan 2023
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio352 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration 💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ⛔ Contraindications ⚠️ Warnings and Cautions 🤒 Adverse Reactions 🔄 Drug Interactions 👥 Use in Specific Populations 🆘 Overdosage 🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 📦 Storage and Handling 📋 Description
🎯 Indications and Usage 125 words ▾

1.1Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in Adults Lubiprostone capsules are indicated for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults.

1.2Opioid-Induced Constipation in Adult Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Lubiprostone capsules are indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. Limitations of Use: Effectiveness of lubiprostone capsules in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients taking diphenylheptane opioids (e.g., methadone) has not been established [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

1.3Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation Lubiprostone capsules are indicated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in women at least 18 years old.

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 165 words ▾

2.1Recommended Dosage The recommended oral dosage of lubiprostone capsules by indication and adjustments for patients with moderate (Child Pugh Class B) and severe (Child Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Recommended Dosage Regimen CIC and OIC IBS-C Recommended Adult Dosage Regimen 24 mcg twice daily 8 mcg twice daily Dosage Adjustment for Hepatic Impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)] Moderate Impairment (Child-Pugh Class B): 16 mcg twice daily* Moderate Impairment (Child-Pugh Class B): No adjustment necessary Severe Impairment (Child-Pugh Class C): 8 mcg twice daily* Severe Impairment (Child-Pugh Class C): 8 mcg once daily* *If the dose is tolerated and an adequate response has not been obtained after an appropriate interval, doses can then be escalated to full dosing with appropriate monitoring of patient response.

2.2Administration Instructions Take lubiprostone capsules orally with food and water. Swallow capsules whole and do not break apart or chew. Physicians and patients should periodically assess the need for continued therapy.

💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths 52 words ▾

Lubiprostone capsules are available as oval, gelatin capsules containing 8 mcg or 24 mcg of lubiprostone. 8 mcg capsules are opaque pink and are printed with A08 on the outer shell in black ink 24 mcg capsules are clear orange and are printed with A04 on the outer shell in black ink

⛔ Contraindications 17 words ▾

Lubiprostone is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ~2 min read ▾

5.1Nausea Patients taking lubiprostone may experience nausea. Concomitant administration of food with lubiprostone may reduce symptoms of nausea [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

5.2Diarrhea Avoid use of lubiprostone in patients with severe diarrhea. Patients should be aware of the possible occurrence of diarrhea during treatment. Instruct patients to discontinue lubiprostone and contact their healthcare provider if severe diarrhea occurs [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

5.3Syncope and Hypotension Syncope and hypotension have been reported with lubiprostone in the postmarketing setting and a few of these adverse reactions resulted in hospitalization. Most cases occurred in patients taking 24 mcg twice daily and some occurred within an hour after taking the first dose or subsequent doses of lubiprostone. Some patients had concomitant diarrhea or vomiting prior to developing the adverse reaction.

Syncope and hypotension generally resolved following lubiprostone discontinuation or prior to next dose, but recurrence has been reported with subsequent doses. Several cases reported concomitant use of medications known to lower blood pressure, which may increase the risk for the development of syncope or hypotension. Patients should be aware of the risk of syncope and hypotension during treatment and that other adverse reactions may increase this risk, such as diarrhea or vomiting.

5.4Dyspnea In clinical trials, dyspnea was reported by 3%, 1%, and <1% of the treated CIC, OIC, and IBS-C populations receiving lubiprostone, respectively, compared to 0%, 1%, and <1% of placebo-treated patients. There have been postmarketing reports of dyspnea when using lubiprostone 24 mcg twice daily. Some patients have discontinued treatment because of dyspnea.

These events have usually been described as a sensation of chest tightness and difficulty taking in a breath, and generally have an acute onset within 30 to 60 minutes after taking the first dose. They generally resolve within a few hours after taking the dose, but recurrence has been frequently reported with subsequent doses. Instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider if dyspnea occurs.

5.5Bowel Obstruction In patients with symptoms suggestive of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction, perform a thorough evaluation to confirm the absence of an obstruction prior to initiating therapy with lubiprostone [see Contraindications (4)].

🤒 Adverse Reactions ~3 min read ▾

The following adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in labeling: Nausea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Syncope and Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Dyspnea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]

6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. During clinical development of lubiprostone for CIC, OIC, and IBS-C, 1,648 patients were treated with lubiprostone for 6 months and 710 patients were treated for 1 year (not mutually exclusive). Chronic Idiopathic Constipation Adverse reactions in adult dose-finding, efficacy, and long-term clinical studies: The data described below reflect exposure to lubiprostone 24 mcg twice daily in 1,113 patients with CIC over 3- or 4-week, 6-month, and 12-month treatment periods; and from 316 patients receiving placebo over short-term exposure (≤4 weeks).

The placebo population (N=316) had a mean age of 48 (range 21 to 81) years; was 87% female; 81% Caucasian, 10% African American, 7% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 12% elderly (≥65 years of age). Of those patients treated with lubiprostone 24 mcg twice daily (N=1,113), the mean age was 50 (range 19 to 86) years; 87% were female; 86% Caucasian, 8% African American, 5% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 17% elderly (≥65 years of age). The most common adverse reactions (>4%) in CIC were nausea, diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and flatulence.

Table 2 presents data for the adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of patients and that occurred more frequently with lubiprostone than placebo. Table 2. Adverse Reactions1 in Clinical Trials of Adults with CIC System/Adverse Reaction Placebo N=316 % Lubiprostone 24 mcg Twice Daily N=1,113 % Nausea 3 29 Diarrhea 1 12 Headache 5 11 Abdominal pain 3 8 Abdominal distension 2 6 Flatulence 2 6 Vomiting 0 3 Loose stools 0 3 Edema <1 3 Abdominal discomfort2 1 3 Dizziness 1 3 Chest discomfort/pain 0 2 Dyspnea 0 2 Dyspepsia <1 2 Fatigue 1 2 Dry mouth <1 1 1 Reported in at least 1% of patients treated with lubiprostone and greater than placebo 2 This term combines “abdominal tenderness,” “abdominal rigidity,” “gastrointestinal discomfort,” “stomach discomfort”, and “abdominal discomfort.” Nausea: Approximately 29% of patients who received lubiprostone experienced nausea; 4% of patients had severe nausea and 9% of patients discontinued treatment due to nausea.

The rate of nausea was lower among male (8%) and elderly (19%) patients. No patients in the clinical studies were hospitalized due to nausea. Diarrhea: Approximately 12% of patients who received lubiprostone experienced diarrhea; 2% of patients had severe diarrhea and 2% of patients discontinued treatment due to diarrhea.

Electrolytes: No serious adverse reactions of electrolyte imbalance were reported in clinical studies, and no clinically significant changes were seen in serum electrolyte levels in patients receiving lubiprostone. Less common adverse reactions (<1%): fecal incontinence, muscle cramp, defecation urgency, frequent bowel movements, hyperhidrosis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, intestinal functional disorder, anxiety, cold sweat, constipation, cough, dysgeusia, eructation, influenza, joint swelling, myalgia, pain, syncope, tremor, decreased appetite.

Opioid-Induced Constipation Adverse reactions in adult efficacy and long-term clinical studies: The data described below reflect exposure to lubiprostone 24 mcg twice daily in 860 patients with OIC for up to 12 months and from 632 patients receiving placebo twice daily for up to 12 weeks. The total population (N=1,492) had a mean age of 50 (range 20 to 89) years; was 63% female; 83% Caucasian, 14% African American, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% Asian; 5% were of Hispa…

🔄 Drug Interactions 76 words ▾

7.1Methadone Diphenylheptane opioids (e.g., methadone) have been shown in nonclinical studies to dose-dependently reduce the activation of ClC-2 by lubiprostone in the gastrointestinal tract. There is a possibility of a dose-dependent decrease in the efficacy of lubiprostone in patients using diphenylheptane opioids. No in vivo interaction studies have been conducted.

The effectiveness of lubiprostone in the treatment of OIC in patients taking diphenylhepatane opioids (e.g., methadone) has not been established [see Indications and Usage (1.2)].

👥 Use in Specific Populations ~3 min read ▾

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Following oral administration, concentrations of lubiprostone in plasma are below the level of quantitation; however, one of the metabolites, M3, has measurable systemic concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Limited available data with lubiprostone use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Animal reproduction studies did not show an increase in structural malformations.

Although a dose dependent increase in fetal loss was observed in pregnant guinea pigs that received lubiprostone (doses equivalent to 0.2 to 6 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area (mg/m2)), these effects were probably secondary to maternal toxicity and occurred after the period of organogenesis (see Data). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In developmental toxicity studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received oral lubiprostone during organogenesis at doses up to approximately 338 times (rats) and approximately 34 times (rabbits) the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area (mg/m2). Maximal animal doses were 2,000 mcg/kg/day (rats) and 100 mcg/kg/day (rabbits).

In rats, there were increased incidences of early resorptions and soft tissue malformations (situs inversus, cleft palate) at the 2,000 mcg/kg/day dose; however, these effects were probably secondary to maternal toxicity. A dose-dependent increase in fetal loss occurred when guinea pigs received lubiprostone after the period of organogenesis, on days 40 to 53 of gestation, at daily oral doses of 1, 10, and 25 mcg/kg/day (approximately 0.2, 2 and 6 times the MRHD based on body surface area (mg/m2)); however, these effects were probably secondary to maternal toxicity.

The potential of lubiprostone to cause fetal loss was also examined in pregnant rhesus monkeys. Monkeys received lubiprostone post-organogenesis on gestation days 110 through 130 at daily oral doses of 10 and 30 mcg/kg/day (approximately 3 and 10 times the MRHD based on body surface area (mg/m2)). Fetal loss was noted in one monkey from the 10-mcg/kg dose group, which is within normal historical rates for this species.

There was no drug-related adverse effect seen in monkeys.

8.2Lactation Risk Summary There are no data available on the presence of lubiprostone in human milk or the effect of lubiprostone on milk production. There are limited data available on the effect of lubiprostone on the breastfed infant. Neither lubiprostone nor its active metabolite (M3) were present in the milk of lactating rats.

When a drug is not present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will not be present in human milk. If present, lubiprostone may cause diarrhea in the breastfed infant (see Clinical Considerations). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for lubiprostone and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from lubiprostone or from the underlying maternal condition.

Clinical Considerations Infants of nursing mothers being treated with lubiprostone should be monitored for diarrhea.

8.4Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients with IBS-C, pediatric functional constipation (PFC), and OIC. Efficacy was not demonstrated for the treatment of PFC in patients 6 years of age and older in a 12 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 606 patients 6 to 17 years with PFC comparing lubiprostone to placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was an overall response based on spontaneous bowel movemen…

🆘 Overdosage 129 words ▾

There have been six reports of overdosage with lubiprostone during clinical development. Of these six cases, only two subjects reported adverse events: one reported vomiting, diarrhea and stomach ache after taking 168 to 192 mcg of lubiprostone, and another reported diarrhea and a joint injury on the day of overdose after taking 36 mcg of lubiprostone. Adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of healthy subjects given a single oral dose of 144 mcg of lubiprostone (6 times the highest recommended dose) in a cardiac repolarization study included nausea (45%), diarrhea (35%), vomiting (27%), dizziness (14%), headache (12%), abdominal pain (8%), flushing/hot flash (8%), retching (8%), dyspnea (4%), pallor (4%), stomach discomfort (4%), anorexia (2%), asthenia (2%), chest discomfort (2%), dry mouth (2%), hyperhidrosis (2%), and syncope (2%).

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ~3 min read ▾

12.1Mechanism of Action Lubiprostone is a locally acting chloride channel activator that enhances a chloride-rich intestinal fluid secretion without altering sodium and potassium concentrations in the serum. Lubiprostone acts by specifically activating ClC-2, which is a normal constituent of the apical membrane of the human intestine, in a protein kinase A-independent fashion. By increasing intestinal fluid secretion, lubiprostone increases motility in the intestine, thereby facilitating the passage of stool and alleviating symptoms associated with chronic idiopathic constipation.

Patch clamp cell studies in human cell lines have indicated that the majority of the beneficial biological activity of lubiprostone and its metabolites is observed only on the apical (luminal) portion of the gastrointestinal epithelium. Lubiprostone, via activation of apical ClC-2 channels in intestinal epithelial cells, bypasses the antisecretory action of opiates that results from suppression of secretomotor neuron excitability. Activation of ClC-2 by lubiprostone has also been shown to stimulate recovery of mucosal barrier function and reduce intestinal permeability via the restoration of tight junction protein complexes in ex vivo studies of ischemic porcine intestine.

12.2Pharmacodynamics Although the pharmacologic effects of lubiprostone in humans have not been fully evaluated, animal studies have shown that oral administration of lubiprostone increases chloride ion transport into the intestinal lumen, enhances fluid secretion into the bowels, and improves fecal transit.

12.3Pharmacokinetics Following oral administration, concentrations of lubiprostone in plasma are below the level of quantitation (10 pg/mL). Therefore, standard pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and half-life (t½) cannot be reliably calculated. However, the pharmacokinetic parameters of M3 (only measurable active metabolite of lubiprostone) have been characterized.

Absorption Peak plasma concentrations of M3, after a single oral dose of 24 mcg of lubiprostone, occurred at approximately 1.1 hours. The Cmax was 41.5 pg/mL and the mean AUC0–t was 57.1 pg•hr/mL. The AUC0–t of M3 increases dose proportionally after single 24-mcg and 144-mcg doses of lubiprostone (6-times the maximum recommended 24 mcg dose).

Food Effect A study was conducted with a single 72-mcg dose of 3H-labeled lubiprostone (3-times the maximum recommended 24 mcg dose) to evaluate the potential of a food effect on lubiprostone absorption, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacokinetic parameters of total radioactivity demonstrated that Cmax decreased by 55% while AUC0–∞ was unchanged when lubiprostone was administered with a high-fat meal. The clinical relevance of the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of lubiprostone is not clear.

However, lubiprostone was administered with food and water in a majority of clinical trials. Distribution In vitro protein binding studies indicate lubiprostone is approximately 94% bound to human plasma proteins. Elimination Metabolism Lubiprostone is rapidly and extensively metabolized by 15-position reduction, α-chain β-oxidation, and ω-chain ω-oxidation.

In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate that cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are not involved in the metabolism of lubiprostone. Further in vitro studies indicate that M3, a metabolite of lubiprostone, is formed by the reduction of the 15-carbonyl moiety to a hydroxy moiety by microsomal carbonyl reductase. M3 makes up less than 10% of the dose of radiolabeled lubiprostone.

Animal studies have shown that metabolism of lubiprostone rapidly occurs within the stomach and jejunum, most likely in the absence of any systemic absorption. Excretion Lubiprostone could not be detected in plasma; however, M3 has a t½ ranging from 0.9 to 1.4 hours. After a single oral dose of 72 mcg of 3H-labeled lubiprostone, 60% of total administered radioactivity was recovered in the u…

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 56 words ▾

Lubiprostone capsules are available as follows: 8 mcg – Oval, opaque pink soft gelatin capsule printed with A08 on the outer shell in black ink, in bottles of 60 (NDC 0480-3479-06). 24 mcg – Oval, clear orange soft gelatin capsule printed with A04 on the outer shell in black ink, in bottles of 60 (NDC 0480-4138-06).

📦 Storage and Handling 19 words ▾

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light and extreme temperatures.

📋 Description 144 words ▾

Lubiprostone is a chloride channel activator for oral use. The chemical name for lubiprostone is (–)-7-[(2R,4aR,5R,7aR)-2-(1,1-difluoropentyl)-2-hydroxy-6-oxooctahydrocyclopenta[b]pyran-5-yl]heptanoic acid. The molecular formula of lubiprostone is C20H32F2O5 with a molecular weight of 390.47 and a chemical structure as follows: [1] Lubiprostone drug substance occurs as off-white to white crystalline powder, is very soluble in ether and ethanol, and is practically insoluble in hexane and water.

Lubiprostone capsules are available as imprinted, oval, soft gelatin capsules in two strengths. Pink capsules contain 8 mcg of lubiprostone and the following inactive ingredients: black iron oxide, ferric oxide red, gelatin, hypromellose, lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbitol sorbitan solution, and titanium dioxide. Orange capsules contain 24 mcg of lubiprostone and the following inactive ingredients: black iron oxide, D&C Yellow No.

10, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, hypromellose, lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, propylene glycol, purified water, and sorbitol sorbitan solution.

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗

Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Lubiprostone (matched by generic name) — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 8 manufacturers.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Lubiprostone. CMS lists 2 products for this generic; we show the highest-spend one. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Period
Total Part D spend
$17.94M
Claims incl. refills
147.2K
Beneficiaries
85K
Spend / beneficiary
$211.07
Spend / claim
$121.87
Trend by period
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos — Not published for this NDC No photo available yet for this listing.
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data ✓ Available
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The form printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed is the one the FDA registered. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero and the dashes are dropped. The Identity section at the top of this page lists each form of this code.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by Direct_Rx. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
Direct_Rx is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.
← 72189-0409-90 · Direct_Rx 72189-0412-30 · Direct_Rx →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.