Effect of Tenapanor on the Metagenomics and Metabolomics of Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation

Last updated: March 10, 2026
Sponsor: Kyle Staller, MD, MPH
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

4

Condition

Constipation

Colic

Lactose Intolerance

Treatment

Tenapanor

Clinical Study ID

NCT05995899
2023P001911
  • Ages 18-75
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The aim of this study is to better understand how tenapanor affects the metagenomics and metabolomics of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Tenapanor is the newest FDA-approved agent for IBS-C. It is a small molecule that inhibits the NHE3 receptor, leading to impaired sodium and water absorption in the intestine. Previous clinical trials comparing tenapanor to placebo showed that a 50 mg dose of tenapanor led to increased bowel movements and decreased abdominal pain. This study consists of an 8-week treatment period in which subjects will ingest one capsule of tenapanor (50 mg per dose), twice daily, and send in stool samples following 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

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 studyperiod

  8. Informed consent form signed by the subjects

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. History of loose stools

  2. History of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) or mixed irritable bowelsyndrome (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 byinvestigator team

  11. Severe IBS-C as judged by the investigator

  12. Neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, or other significant disease that wouldimpair 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 childbearingpotential) 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 1month prior to Screening Visit:

  • Linaclotide

  • Lubiprostone

  • Plecanatide

  1. If treated with any of the following medications, dosing (or approximate frequencyof 'as needed' use) must be stable for at least 30 days prior to Screening Visit andthe subject must agree to maintain the same dose (or approximate frequency of 'asneeded' use) or a decreased dose of medication throughout the study:
  • Probiotics

  • Bulk laxatives, fiber, and stool softeners

  1. Exclusion of colonic inertia with symptoms of < 1 BM per 2 weeks

  2. Subjects anticipating surgical intervention during the study

  3. Known history of diabetes (type 1 or 2)

  4. Subjects with recent antibiotic use (last 3 months) or anticipated antibiotic useduring the study period

  5. History of inflammatory bowel disease

  6. Supine SBP > 160 mm Hg and/or supine DBP > 95 mm Hg (mean of two consecutivereadings)

  7. Angina, coronary bypass, or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to ScreeningVisit

  8. History of swallowing disorders

  9. History of gastric bypass or any other gastric surgery

  10. History of small bowel resection (except if related to appendectomy)

  11. History of gastric or duodenal ulcer

  12. History of gastroparesis

  13. History of abdominal radiation treatment

  14. History of pancreatitis

  15. History of intestinal stricture (e.g., Crohn's disease)

  16. History of intestinal obstruction or subjects at high risk of intestinal obstructionincluding suspected small bowel adhesions

  17. History of malabsorption

  18. History of hepatitis B or C

  19. History of human immunodeficiency virus

  20. History of cancer within the past 5 years (except adequately-treated localized basalcell skin cancer or in situ uterine cervical cancer)

  21. Any other clinically significant disease interfering with the assessments oftenapanor, according to the Investigator (e.g., disease requiring correctivetreatment, potentially leading to study discontinuation)

  22. HbA1c > 8.5% (> 69 mmol/mol)

  23. 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

Study Design

Total Participants: 36
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Tenapanor
Phase: 4
Study Start date:
February 06, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
December 17, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts 02114
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston 4930956, Massachusetts 6254926 02114
    United States

    Site Not Available

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