Adult Patients

To lower the risk of constipation, LOTRONEX should be started at a dosage of 0.5 mg twice a day. Patients who become constipated at this dosage should stop taking LOTRONEX until the constipation resolves. They may be restarted at 0.5 mg once a day. If constipation recurs at the lower dose, LOTRONEX should be discontinued immediately.

Patients well controlled on 0.5 mg once or twice a day may be maintained on this regimen. If after 4 weeks the dosage is well tolerated but does not adequately control IBS symptoms, then the dosage can be increased to up to 1 mg twice a day . LOTRONEX should be discontinued in patients who have not had adequate control of IBS symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment with 1 mg twice a day.

LOTRONEX can be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)] .

LOTRONEX should be discontinued immediately in patients who develop constipation or signs of ischemic colitis. LOTRONEX should not be restarted in patients who develop ischemic colitis.

Clinical trial and postmarketing experience suggest that debilitated patients or patients taking additional medications that decrease gastrointestinal motility may be at greater risk of serious complications of constipation. Therefore, appropriate caution and follow-up should be exercised if LOTRONEX is prescribed for these patients.

Postmarketing experience suggests that elderly patients may be at greater risk for complications of constipation; therefore, appropriate caution and follow-up should be exercised if LOTRONEX is prescribed for these patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)] .

Patients with Hepatic Impairment

LOTRONEX is extensively metabolized by the liver, and increased exposure to LOTRONEX is likely to occur in patients with hepatic impairment. Increased drug exposure may increase the risk of serious adverse reactions. LOTRONEX should be used with caution in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Contraindications ( 4), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6)].