Content about Constipation

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating bowel diseases made by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, the agency said Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA — Shire has acquired U.S. rights to a drug used to treat chronic constipation in women from Johnson & Johnson, the company said Tuesday.

Shire announced the acquisition of rights to Resolor (prucalopride) from J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Shire acquired European rights to the drug in 2010 when it bought Belgian drug maker Movetis, which itself had acquired rights to the drug from Janssen.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Anglo-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca has enrolled the first patient in a late-stage clinical trial for a drug to treat constipation related to use of opioid painkillers, the company said.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. Enzymedica on Tuesday launched a campaign to drive awareness around enzymatic therapy as a way to improve overall digestive performance through the company’s 14-day “Take the Digest Challenge!”

For consumers taking the challenge, Enzymedica recommended its Digest Basic formula along with every meal or large snack for 14 days. Within the first two weeks, consumers should realize reduced digestive distress, increased energy and improved regularity, the company stated.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Not eating enough fiber doesn’t kill you. But the disease states that result from a poor fiber diet do. Not a believer? Then you too may be a victim of IDS (irrational disbelief syndrome), the tongue-in-cheek faux condition that Fiber One touts as being the No. 1 cause behind America’s lack of fiber faith.