Plecanatide
Also referenced as: Trulance
A uroguanylin-related intestinal peptide used for adult constipation disorders.
- Evidence grade
- AStrong Clinical Evidence
Strong Clinical Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Trulance is FDA-approved for adult chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C, not general gut healing.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A uroguanylin-related intestinal peptide used for adult constipation disorders.
Trulance is FDA-approved for adult chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C, not general gut healing.
Contraindicated below age 6 and in mechanical obstruction; the label advises avoiding use below age 18.
Why It's Being Studied
- Chronic idiopathic constipation
- IBS with constipation
Mechanism of Action
Guanylate cyclase-C activation increases fluid secretion in the intestinal lumen and supports transit.
Guanylate cyclase-C activation increases fluid secretion in the intestinal lumen and supports transit. Contraindicated below age 6 and in mechanical obstruction; the label advises avoiding use below age 18.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
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Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Chronic idiopathic constipation
- IBS with constipation
- Oral approved tablet
Evidence Summary
Placebo-controlled trials support bowel-response endpoints in chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Plecanatide; tap to read it.
- Placebo-controlled trials support bowel-response endpoints in chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Placebo-controlled trials support bowel-response endpoints in chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Diarrhea and dehydration are key risks; the label has a boxed pediatric warning.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Contraindicated below age 6 and in mechanical obstruction; the label advises avoiding use below age 18.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Plecanatide | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | A — Strong Clinical Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Oral approved tablet | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Plecanatide — prescribing label