Gut check: new study probes how IBS drug changes your microbiome
NCT ID NCT05995899
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how tenapanor, a drug for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), changes the bacteria and chemicals in the gut. Thirty-six adults took tenapanor twice daily for 8 weeks and provided stool samples. The goal was to understand how the drug works beyond just relieving symptoms.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ages 18-75 years old 2. BMI \>18.5 and \<35 kg/m2 3. Rome IV criteria for IBS-C for at least 6 months 4. Compliant with baseline stool submission prior to initiation of medication 5. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions 6. Ability to record daily bowel habits, including frequency, stool consistency (BSFS), and symptom severity 7. Willingness to avoid major dietary changes and use of probiotics during the study period 8. Informed consent form signed by the subjects Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of loose stools 2. History of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) or mixed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M) 3. Non-compliance with baseline stool submission 4. Previous use of tenapanor 5. GI motility obstruction or GI tract structural abnormality 6. Current use of prescribed or illicit opioids 7. History of pelvic floor dysfunction 8. Need for manual maneuvers in order to achieve a BM 9. History of GI lumen surgery at any time or other GI or abdominal operations within 60 days prior to entry into the study 10. History of high-dose stimulative or cathartic laxative abuse as judged by investigator team 11. Severe IBS-C as judged by the investigator 12. Neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, or other significant disease that would impair their ability to participate in the study 13. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis 14. BMI of \<18.5 or \>35 kg/m2 15. Pregnancy (or positive serum or urine pregnancy test(s) in females of childbearing potential) or lactation 16. Absence of contraception in females of childbearing potential 17. History of allergic reaction to tenapanor 18. Administration of other FDA-approved agents for the treatment of IBS-C within 1 month prior to Screening Visit: * Linaclotide * Lubiprostone * Plecanatide 19. If treated with any of the following medications, dosing (or approximate frequency of 'as needed' use) must be stable for at least 30 days prior to Screening Visit and the subject must agree to maintain the same dose (or approximate frequency of 'as needed' use) or a decreased dose of medication throughout the study: * Probiotics * Bulk laxatives, fiber, and stool softeners 20. Exclusion of colonic inertia with symptoms of \< 1 BM per 2 weeks 21. Subjects anticipating surgical intervention during the study 22. Known history of diabetes (type 1 or 2) 23. Subjects with recent antibiotic use (last 3 months) or anticipated antibiotic use during the study period 24. History of inflammatory bowel disease 25. Supine SBP \> 160 mm Hg and/or supine DBP \> 95 mm Hg (mean of two consecutive readings) 26. Angina, coronary bypass, or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to Screening Visit 27. History of swallowing disorders 28. History of gastric bypass or any other gastric surgery 29. History of small bowel resection (except if related to appendectomy) 30. History of gastric or duodenal ulcer 31. History of gastroparesis 32. History of abdominal radiation treatment 33. History of pancreatitis 34. History of intestinal stricture (e.g., Crohn's disease) 35. History of intestinal obstruction or subjects at high risk of intestinal obstruction including suspected small bowel adhesions 36. History of malabsorption 37. History of hepatitis B or C 38. History of human immunodeficiency virus 39. History of cancer within the past 5 years (except adequately-treated localized basal cell skin cancer or in situ uterine cervical cancer) 40. Any other clinically significant disease interfering with the assessments of tenapanor, according to the Investigator (e.g., disease requiring corrective treatment, potentially leading to study discontinuation) 41. HbA1c \> 8.5% (\> 69 mmol/mol) 43\. Any relevant biochemical abnormality interfering with the assessments of tenapanor, according to the Investigator 44. Antidiabetic medications within 1 month prior to Screening Visit (except stable dose of metformin, ≤ 1500 mg/day, for at least 1 month in subjects with type 2 diabetes) 45. Medications requiring mandatory administration twice per day with meals
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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