Linzess and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Kat...
• February 21, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I just cannot! Because of my IBS, I bounce between symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Yes, Linzess works, but oh wow! I don't know how anyone takes this drug frequently. There has been nothing but straight liquid explosions. You definitely cannot underestimate urges to pass gas as it is likely just more watery stool (found out the hard way). I sat on the toilet so long that my lower extremities went numb but I couldn't get up to stretch because every time I would try more stool would come rushing like a flood. There were light stomach cramps and some bloating but nothing too severe. I will keep this medication on hand and use it merely as a laxative if I again experience a string of days with no bowel movement. But, there is no way on Earth I would take this pill every day or even every other day. I’d never be able to leave my home."

• Veg...
• May 4, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess since early March 2021. I have IBS-C, GERD, and functional dyspepsia. I take the maximum dosage once a day and wanted to give some advice. Take the pill several hours before you want it to work and then provide enough time to complete the bathroom cycle. As an example, I am an early riser and get up at 3 AM. I like to be finished in the bathroom by about 7 or 8 AM. So, I take my pill at about 10-11 PM the night before. The pill needs some time to travel through your system and to get working in your colon. I have not experienced any side effects other than the loose stools. I continue to add some adjunct therapies to see what happens. Currently, I am trying out cellulose powder since I have read that insoluble fiber is helpful to speed up transit time. I will deal with diarrhea over constipation ANY day of the week!"

• Veg...
• May 4, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess since early March 2021. I have IBS-C, GERD, and functional dyspepsia. I take the maximum dosage once a day and wanted to give some advice. Take the pill several hours before you want it to work and then provide enough time to complete the bathroom cycle. As an example, I am an early riser and get up at 3 AM. I like to be finished in the bathroom by about 7 or 8 AM. So, I take my pill at about 10-11 PM the night before. The pill needs some time to travel through your system and to get working in your colon. I have not experienced any side effects other than the loose stools. I continue to add some adjunct therapies to see what happens. Currently, I am trying out cellulose powder since I have read that insoluble fiber is helpful to speed up transit time. I will deal with diarrhea over constipation ANY day of the week!"

• Lor...
• July 9, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had bowel issues forever. Metamucil barely helped. My gastro suggested Linzess. I was nervous reading the side effects, but tried for a month. Side effects are worth it! You go a lot after taking it. Diarrhea was worse at first. Now it depends on how much I eat. On bad days I skip a dose. Definitely make sure you have bathroom access the first few hours after taking it. Haven't had an accident, but you get strong urges! Also, do not trust farts! Also, Linzess bowel movements have a very distinct smell. My only issue is cost. It's extremely expensive and my insurance only covers some of it. I used Care Credit and got a coupon card from Linzess.com. But I don't have long-term options. There is no generic option, and it feels like punishment for being low income & having health issues. Still looking for options/help because this is a life-changing medicine."

• saj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Just started last week. So far I love it. I have been going for colonics every 10 days just to empty because I could no longer do it myself. My doctor even suggested removing my large intestine due to nerve damage and lack of motility. I am so glad I tried this drug first. I take it at bedtime and I do get up a few hours later and have watery stools but I will take that over getting up all night and pushing myself inside out with no results. A lot of people writing about how it interferes with their mornings so maybe they should take it at a different time and that may help. I never knew that so many people had the same exact problems with constipation like me. Thank you to everybody who took time to post. I don't feel so alone now."

• Nel...
• September 20, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Before starting Linzess at age 21 (~1 yr ago), I was going to the bathroom about once every 3 weeks. Eventually, laxatives were necessary, but still, I was going maybe 3 times a month. I was experiencing severe stomach pains that left me in bed for hours at a time daily. Eventually, I ended up in the ER. Within 24 hours of starting Linzess, I went to the bathroom. Yes, the first few days it was diarrhea. Within the first week, I was having regular bowel movements and have been having about 1/day since then. MY STOMACH PAIN HAS DISAPPEARED (that's huge!!!!) Gas? Yes, all the time. Diarrhea? Only if I take it too late in the day. Increased hunger? Yes, obviously, because my stomach is empty. Worth it? 5 billion percent."

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I'm 41 years old, and I've been constipated my entire life, since childhood. Now I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, and take narcotics. I push and push until I almost pass out. I become lightheaded and finally after pushing for 15-20 minutes, I tear and bleed. My doctor gave me samples of Linzess and it's changed my life. I do have some runny stool, but I would go through that any day. Constipation would cause me to get blisters in my mouth, I no longer get them. I'm a different person. My life was miserable before. Many, many years my life was a nightmare. Now I feel human. Love this medication."

• Jwr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take Suboxone daily, and the buprenorphine in it has constipated me like nothing ever has. I went 12 days without a bowel movement. I've tried every laxative on the market, including natural ones, and only lactulose worked but only at massive doses. Went to see a GI specialist who prescribed Linzess. Initially, she prescribed 290 mcg dose, but my insurance refused to pay for it but agreed to pay for the 145 mcg dose. I'm glad I didn't get the higher dose. This stuff is amazing. It has worked in as little as 45 min. I take it every 3 days, otherwise, I get insane diarrhea. I am so glad this medication exists, otherwise, I would be miserable and constantly chugging lactulose. The only side effect I get is diarrhea if I take it every day and a bit of tummy gurgling."

• Joy...
• August 13, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've dealt with chronic constipation/ IBS for many years, but in my mid-20s, it has been particularly terrible. Bloating and nausea, occasional vomiting after eating. After some trouble getting Linzess approved by my insurance, I am SO grateful for this little pill! -Day 1: nothing -Day 2: serious bout of diarrhea (be warned, you might not make it to the toilet in time) -Remaining 2 weeks: again constipated/frustrated. Was starting to lose hope. -Post-2 week mark: I feel GREAT. I have a good (mostly less urgent) loose stool every couple of days. A lot of gurgling/cramping, but anything is better than what I was feeling prior. I still drink a lot of water and exercise to get things moving as naturally as possible. Overall: a true constipation/IBS-C sufferer like myself, you will welcome the diarrhea with open arms. It has not interfered with my quality of life, I just find a bathroom ASAP if I feel a bowel movement coming. Try to stick it out for at least 6 weeks. :)"

• Peg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was put on Linzess and everything was going good. Then it gave me diarrhea, and that wasn't a problem, but I skipped taking one dose, and the diarrhea cleared up. However, after I started back, I couldn't go again. So, the dosage was increased to 290, and the same thing happened. Now, I can't get it to work at all."

• tbe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started Linzess 3 weeks ago. At first, it was wonderful and then 1 week later it quit! My GI Dr. said to take it with 3 capfuls of Miralax. I didn’t do 3 but did 2 capfuls! I had diarrhea for several hours! Then went back to 290 of Linzess and nothing! I don’t know what to do as I’m constipated again! I also found out during a colonoscopy several years ago that I have several more feet of bowel than other people have so that it takes much longer for me to go to the bathroom! I really don’t know which way to turn!"

• Mis...
• July 11, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation 15 years ago and severely suffered with constipation since then. On average, I would do a bowel movement once every 2 1/2 to 3 weeks... no exaggeration. I requested a colonoscopy after a friend of mine suddenly died of colon cancer at the age of 31. A year ago, my PCP introduced me to Linzess. It took a month for my body to adjust. I do have occasional diarrhea with it, but I will take it over constipation any day! It's been a year and I am down to taking it once a week, rather than have a bowel movement once or twice a month. I go once or twice a day effortlessly with no issues whatsoever. It has acted almost like a cure for my condition. Thank GOD for Linzess!"

• Lin...
• July 30, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me Linzess samples, and so far, it is helping a lot. I don't have as much discomfort in my stomach and less burping and farting. However, I did have a VERY embarrassing situation happen when I was walking my dogs one morning. I had no feeling I had to go at all, and just coughed, and out came a liquid mess. So, overall, I like the medicine, but the diarrhea can be severe and unexpected. I have never had this happen before!"

• Ano...
• April 10, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I went to a GI specialist last week, assuming I had some serious issues other than constipation. However, it was just that- chronic constipation. The doctor gave me samples of Linzess, and I started it at 10 am on an empty stomach. I had a bowl of oatmeal about half an hour later. Then, 20-30 minutes after I had eaten, I had the urge to use the restroom, and for the first time in years, without the help of several laxatives, I expelled. Three times within a two-hour time frame. I don't mind the diarrhea because it was much worse not being able to go. But it is scary knowing you have to pass gas and not knowing if you might accidentally crap yourself."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I took this drug Linzess for IBS for 3 days. Each day I took it, I had severe, and I mean severe diarrhea within 2 hours of taking it. It caused me to stay near a restroom for several hours as I had to go often and suddenly. After the diarrhea subsided, I was left with bloating and cramping that was so bad it made me nauseous. The day I stopped taking it, all of these symptoms disappeared."

• Bon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 31, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess works great for me. If you are going too much when you take it once a day, cut back by taking it every other day and that should help the diarrhea too. If you are still having too much diarrhea, take it every third day. I would be glad I wasn't constipated anymore! Not going is worse than diarrhea any day. Hope this info helps."

• Mag...
• March 23, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had chronic constipation for as long as I can remember. Tried eating more fiber and drinking more water, and that just makes things worse. Prescribed the 145 and took it in the morning. Nothing for the first 4 days then remembered my doc said that some of her patients had better luck taking it at night. It worked great then. Sometimes I have diarrhea but not always. The only downside is unpredictability. I will take this over constipation any day. Other than diarrhea, I have no side effects. So give it a try at night if you aren't having luck in the morning."

• JLH...
• May 24, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I could go 9 to 12 days without having a bowel movement. I stayed very sick. I even got to where I only ate very little food. Bloating was very severe. I have pants from size 4-7 depending on the day. Then my doctor prescribed Linzess. I have been on Linzess for 3 years. I had no side effects but diarrhea. But I don't even care. It's a blessing. I must take it every day or I still will not have a movement. I will take this miracle pill the rest of my life! Cost is high but you can get it cheaper with a card through the makers."

• Gem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’ve been on Linzess for about 5 months now. At first, it was just uncontrollable, watery diarrhea. I couldn’t imagine how that would help my IBS with chronic constipation. Now that I have been on it awhile, I can say that I don’t want to be without it. I do still have daily diarrhea with this, but it’s better than chronic constipation. I had a perforated colon, where my colon literally split in half and caused me to be in critical care. I want to avoid a repeat of that at all costs!"

• Gem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’ve been on Linzess for about 5 months now. At first, it was just uncontrollable, watery diarrhea. I couldn’t imagine how that would help my IBS with chronic constipation. Now that I have been on it awhile, I can say that I don’t want to be without it. I do still have daily diarrhea with this, but it’s better than chronic constipation. I had a perforated colon, where my colon literally split in half and caused me to be in critical care. I want to avoid a repeat of that at all costs!"

• PMS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used to take Linzess and had to stop because of severe diarrhea. Years later, after a second double back fusion leaving me with terrible sciatica, I started taking tramadol and gabapentin, added to a few other drugs I was already on, all of which cause constipation. I had the old Linzess of 72 and 144, so I tried them plus eating a large salad every night. At first, they worked, but then constipation got worse. My doctor gave me 245 mg, and I have severe constipation. When I go, I strain to go, and then it turns into diarrhea. Sometimes it's more than 5 days, so I take 1 or 2 stool softeners depending on how bad my stomach is swollen and how much it hurts. I had a colonoscopy last year, and everything was fine."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I'm 36 years old. I've battled with constipation for as long as I can remember. It got so bad I was taking a pill laxative once weekly routinely, which, as you know, was painful. I got Linzess 290 samples from my doctor. I took it at 4 p.m. In less than 2 hours, I felt my stomach rumble as if I may have diarrhea. Thank goodness I was near a bathroom. Anyway, it cleared me out, no pain. I take it when I want to go. It works, just be near a bathroom. I swear I can't live without it now. Being constipated is far worse than diarrhea any day, in my opinion!"

• IBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Best stuff to help with irritable bowel syndrome! I take it every day and have noticed the diarrhea subside and have 'regular' bowel movements after two weeks. If you take it each day and not 'as needed,' you'll notice a huge difference."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess for over four years now. Started at 145 every morning 1/2 hour prior to first meal. At some point during the day, I would develop diarrhea at unpredictable times. Started taking it right before bedtime, and the next day would start with diarrhea again, but at least it would be done by 10 o’clock in the morning. Better! Then the 72 dose became available. Started with that dose right before bedtime. TaDa!!! Seven mornings a week with my first cup of coffee! Linzess has been a lifesaver for me! I believe if you experiment a bit to find the right dose and time of day ~ Linzess can work for anybody! No side effects except those experienced during my trial and error period, which was about three months. Stick with it until you find what is right for you. Highly recommend!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been using Linzess or Constella as it's known in Canada for over a year. It has been 100% a miracle for me and my life. I have played around with it and I wanted to share with everyone what I found. 1. I take this every 2 or 3 days and completely clear out. 2. The days I take it, I set my alarm to wake me up at approximately 4 or 5 am and take my dose along with 1 liter of water and go back to sleep. By the time I get up, I'm ready to empty. 3. You have to take it with more than a glass of water. One liter has worked best for me. Being dehydrated or not drinking enough water stops it from working as well since it's an osmotic (pulls water to the bowel). 4. Be aware you will have loose stool for the day. I will take it any day over constipation!!!"