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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and
related Prospectus of Connetics Corporation for the registration of 369,511
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 2, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Connetics Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Palo Alto, California
June 26, 2001