Possible effect of concomitant prokinetics and herbal medicines against nausea in patients taking lubiprostone

Abstract

Background and Aim. Lubiprostone is a novel laxative that sometimes causes nausea, but preventive strategies remain unconfirmed. Methods. We retrospectively chose 126 patients prescribed lubiprostone from 2013 to 2016. Medical records were reviewed to clarify whether nausea developed after administration of the drug. Background characteristics, including concomitant medicines, were also reviewed. Results. The most common adverse symptom was diarrhea (23.8%). Nausea occurred in 16 patients (12.7%). Patients taking either prokinetics or herbal medicines or both were unlikely to develop nausea (p=0.007). Conclusions. Concomitant prokinetics and/or herbal medicines may help alleviate lubiprostone-induced nausea.