Viberzi Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Viberzi Tablet contains eluxadoline and belongs to a drug class called peripheral opioid receptor mixed agonists/antagonists. It is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). Because it contains eluxadoline, it is classified as a controlled substance with a potential for misuse or dependence.

What is Viberzi Tablet

Viberzi is a prescription medicine used to treat adults who have irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). It is a controlled substance because it contains eluxadoline and may be misused or lead to dependence.

Viberzi Tablet uses

• Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults
• Treats irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults
• Helps reduce diarrhea associated with IBS-D
• Helps relieve abdominal pain related to IBS-D
• Helps reduce urgent bowel movements
• May improve stool consistency in adults with IBS-D

Benefits of Viberzi Tablet

• Reduces abdominal pain
• Reduces diarrhea and makes stools less loose and watery
• May provide continued symptom relief when taken daily as prescribed
• Reduces diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D)
• Helps relieve abdominal pain and discomfort
• Reduces urgent bowel movements
• Helps improve stool consistency
• May help regulate bowel movement patterns in adults with IBS-D

How Viberzi Tablet works

Viberzi acts on opioid receptors in the gut. It slows down the movement of food through the intestines and makes the nerves in the gut less sensitive, which helps reduce pain and diarrhea.

Viberzi Tablet dosage

Take with food. Take one tablet two times each day, such as one in the morning and one in the evening, both with food. Take it exactly as your doctor prescribes and do not change your dose or stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

If you miss a dose, take the next dose at your regular time; do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. Avoid taking anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide regularly without your doctor's advice; it may be used occasionally for severe diarrhea but should be stopped right away if constipation develops.

Not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old. Older adults may have more side effects, including serious ones, so extra monitoring may be needed.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (75 mg and 100 mg)

Side effects of Viberzi Tablet

Common

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Vomiting
• Nasopharyngitis
• Abdominal distention
• Bronchitis
• Dizziness
• Flatulence
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Viral gastroenteritis

Serious

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can lead to hospitalization or death, especially in people without a gallbladder
• Sphincter of Oddi spasm (a spasm in a digestive muscle valve) causing sudden abdominal pain
• Serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing, hives
• Severe constipation that may require hospitalization, including intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, or fecal impaction

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take Viberzi if you do not have a gallbladder, as this greatly increases the risk of serious or fatal pancreas problems. Do not take Viberzi if you have a history of pancreatitis, pancreas blockage, bile duct blockage, or sphincter of Oddi problems. Do not take Viberzi if you have alcohol abuse or addiction, or drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day. Do not take Viberzi if you have severe constipation, a history of severe or long-lasting constipation, or a bowel blockage.
• This medicine may be habit-forming; misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. It is illegal to sell or give this medicine to others. Avoid taking other medicines that cause constipation, such as opioids or anticholinergics, while on this medicine, and do not take alosetron with it.
• There is not enough information to know if Viberzi is safe during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Viberzi passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• People with moderate or severe kidney problems, or kidney failure not yet on dialysis, need a reduced dose. Viberzi should not be used by people with severe liver disease. People with mild or moderate liver problems need a reduced dose and should be monitored for side effects.
• Do not drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day, and it's best to limit alcohol use while taking this medicine, since it raises the risk of pancreas problems. If you have liver problems, do not drive, operate machinery, or do other potentially dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store VIBERZI tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Store away from moisture and heat
• Keep VIBERZI and all medicines out of the reach of children
• Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Viberzi right away and get emergency medical care if you have new or worsening stomach pain, or pain in the upper right side of your belly that spreads to your back or shoulder, with or without nausea and vomiting
• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue, trouble breathing, itching, rash, or hives
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you develop severe constipation
• If you take too much of this medicine, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away

Alternatives

• Rifaximin
• Loperamide
• Ramosetron