Amitiza for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2011

"Am taking maximum dosage and does not work for me. Never got headaches or stomach upset, but always took it with food, and I do drink lots of water. What made me stop is the fatigue. It got to the point that I felt so tired it almost seemed like mild depression. Also, my sleep is lighter, that, coupled with the fact I still seldom have real bowel movements, has motivated me to go back to my fiber, water, flax oil regimen."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2020

"I have struggled with chronic endopathic constipation my whole life, and this past year it has gotten even worse. I only use the bathroom every 7 days, and when I do, it's like giving birth, the worst pain ever, and I get so sick and have to use magnesium citrate to relieve myself. My gastroenterologist put me on Amitiza, which did not work and made me have horrible mood swings. I already suffer from PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and depression, so if you have any of these problems, do not take Amitiza! I'm currently taking Linzess, and that is working wonderfully."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

"Was given this for constipation. I had severe nausea and headache. I was certain I was going to vomit for several hours after each dose. I felt like I had a severe stomach virus. It was so debilitating I had to stop taking it after two days."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2021

"I've been on Amitiza for a while now for IBS. I was on the 8, then the 24. It worked for a little while. Then constipation started for months, dizziness, bloating, weight gain, overeating, severe sweating, heart races fast at times. I ended up in an ER visit, they thought I had a blockage. I called the doctor again, told him my reactions, the nurse said to stop taking it, so I stopped Amitiza."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2017

"If I could give a 0, I would! 22, chronic, idiopathic constipation since I was 14. Given 24 mcg of Amitiza twice daily for 1 month. NOTHING HAPPENED. Very, very frustrating! Was really looking forward to it working so I could stop taking laxatives in bulk, but no dice. Very disheartened. Onto Linaclotide (Linzess)..."

• HLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

"My doctor gave me Amitiza and Linzess in his office to take for chronic constipation. Within 10 minutes, I went to the bathroom all over myself, and then came the severe diarrhea. I went over 50 times in 5 hours. I had a headache, nausea, and stomach pain. I started getting dizzy and briefly passed out. Called the nurse, and she said to call the ambulance. I got to the ER, waited 5 hours, then got rehydration. It was awful. I told my doctor, and he said to just take Linzess if needed."

• Swk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2016

"I went from IBS to IBS-C and suffered severe constipation for three months. To the point of when I went, it caused hemorrhoids and a tear. I went to my gastrointestinal MD who assured me it was not cancer or anything from the results of my colonoscopy eight months earlier. He gave me Amitiza, one or two pills a day depending on the consistency. It works well, and I go more regularly, but every two weeks I get stomach spasms and an increased urge to go that almost cripples me. Swelling occurs, gets hard to breathe, have passed out from the pain. I use a cream prescribed to help heal the stretching and swelling. BM is usually thin and flat but feels like a huge boulder. Any suggestions or thoughts? Should I discontinue the medicine?"

• Ela...
• September 13, 2017

"I have taken two doses, and it didn't work at all. Was it placebo? I have no idea. What happened was that I experienced strange psychotropic effects: lessened ability to judge distances, lessened ability to follow conversations, slower reading speed, headache, facial muscle spasm, clenching my jaw, and then a crying episode after 4-5 hours after the dose. At least I know it didn't cause my acne. I am scared to try the higher dose after reading everyone's comments and the fact that my blood pressure runs low to begin with. And the fact that my stomach is prone to nausea."

• sib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2020

"Amitiza did nothing but make me severely bloated and very tired! It did not appear to help much with constipation, although I was on a low dose. The bloating was HORRIBLE! My waist went from a 27 to 35 in hours from the bloat. I have a painful spastic colon, and it did help decrease the pain from that, but the bloating made it not worth it."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2015

"I suffer from chronic constipation, mainly due to the side effects of medications I take to control pain from RRMS (Opana and Norco), and probably the MS itself. I am so sick of the nightly stomach pains, 'sitting sessions,' and nothing comes out, avoiding vacations due to a 'single' bathroom situation, nonstop talking about it, and the effect it has on my sex life. My neuro seems hesitant to Rx Amitiza and tells me to use Miralax, which does not work that well. Tried adding Magnesium Oxide, but it gave me cramps and bad diarrhea for 3 days (a bit of a purging session, if you will), of course followed by constipation again. I drink a gallon of H2O a day and just sick and tired of dealing with this. Is this med that good?"

• Ela...
• November 3, 2019

"I recently took one 24 mg Amitiza pill, prescribed by my physician, and within an hour, I thought I was dying! I had 8 bowel movements in 2 hours, and 6 more in the next 5 hours. The stomach pain was unbearable, accompanied by a horrid headache. My mouth was so dry that I could not swallow; I could not calm my rapid breathing; I was freezing cold and trembling uncontrollably. To say that my husband and I were terrified is an understatement! We were at the point of calling 911 when the stomach pain began to subside --- slightly. Two days later, I am terribly dehydrated and weak. I'm glad this works for some people, but if you are a 135 lb senior citizen, please stay away from it!!!!"

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2010

"This created very messy and uncomfortable stools, but any relief was better than none at all. But I am a college student who works out regularly and eats pretty decently. I had 2 allergic reactions, and the second one was a lot worse. My lips and tongue were numb, my chest was tight, and I had to run across campus to find Benadryl. It wasn't fun. NEVER ignore signs of a possible reaction."

• Lg2...
• May 28, 2016

"I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007. Emergency gallbladder removal in 2009. Over the years, my digestive system has been malfunctioning. Last year, I had trouble digesting certain foods. In February, I was rushed to the hospital due to severe vomiting and abdominal pain. All the food I threw up was undigested, and my stool was black. Went through many different tests and was put on Amitiza. It was probably my second worst experience with a medication. In the first week, I had extreme headaches, I felt fatigued, had abdominal pain, and severe mood swings. I was put on Linzess and have been going ever since!"

• lui...
• December 26, 2012

"Second day on this pill... severe diarrhea. I'm a dialysis patient, so constipation is part of many pills. I think I'm still afraid of going outside, thinking of the use of the restroom, dizziness, and weakness. Good for emergencies, but still thinking if someday I will be back to normality with no pills at all."

• Alw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2021

"I've been on Amitiza for about a month now. I take it once in the morning and once in the evening, about 5:00, 24 mg. It has been helping me a lot, I go every morning like normal. Now I'm 31 years. I have had acne before but couldn't figure out why I was breaking out so much lately. The only thing I can figure is the Amitiza, it's the only thing I'm doing different to my body. Has anyone experienced acne with it? If so, did it subside any? Also, a little nausea sometimes, not all the time. And please, it said not for children under 18 years, it could be very dangerous for them. And I pray for everyone that has any type of constipation problem that it gets better for you with ease. God bless you all."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2011

"I take two 8 mcg capsules daily, and it does work without any side effects, except I have had some mild headaches, but don't know if it is from the Amitiza or not. It has really helped with my constipation, but I do get quite a bit of gas and have to go to the bathroom more times a day, but that is better than constipation."

• Ste...
• November 27, 2019

"I have tried both Linzess as well as Amitiza. Both have very harsh side effects that far outweigh the results. They mostly release water that has been forced by the meds into the digestive system, which in turn creates the movement of mostly water, with harsh side effects."

• MNN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

"I took Amitiza 8 mcg for chronic constipation. It did help as not much does. But the side effects made it impossible to continue. I took it for 3 weeks and was constantly feeling unwell and had dizziness issues. At 3 weeks, I stopped taking it and the nausea feeling left right away. But it is 2 weeks later and I am having even worse dizziness yet. I never had dizzy spells. I'm worried this didn't go away and seems worse."

• Del...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

"I tried Linzess and had to stop taking it due to severe diarrhea. I was then prescribed Amitiza, and the secondary effects were even worse. I am now using Lactulose, Fiber, and Simethicone 125 mg/anti-gas, and I'm doing better."

• CJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2020

"Taking Amitiza for chronic constipation, and I experienced dangerously low blood pressure about two weeks after starting the med. After going off all my meds for my high blood pressure, my BP still remained low, and I felt very weak. I finally figured out it might be the Amitiza, stopped using it, and I will see what happens."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2016

"This medicine caused me to have severe anxiety and to feel not like myself. In addition, my throat felt like it was closing up, and I more than likely had some type of reaction to this medication. I hated the entire experience of being on this medicine. Try the healthy route of doing FODMAPS in your diet. That has helped me through IBS issues."

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2021

"This drug has been a lifesaver. I have cystic fibrosis, and along with that comes chronic constipation. I had recurrent rectal prolapse as a child, and now as an adult, I have occasional DIOS-related bowel obstructions that require hospitalization for Gastrografin enemas and NG tube suction. I’ve been on Amitiza 24 mg, along with 200 mg Senokot-S twice daily for almost three years now, and I’m so thankful to be able to drop Miralax from my regular rotation (except for occasional use) because it would make me gag and give me gas (which are rarer side effects of the med). I’ve only had one bowel obstruction during this time period and no side effects, except for maybe some additional gurgling stomach noises after meals (which is literally just a sign that it’s working). My insurance covers it completely."

• Lin...
• February 1, 2022

"I have opioid-induced constipation. I have been hospitalized 2x because of my bowels. I have had my stomach so distended that everyone thought I was pregnant. I was put on Amitiza 24 mg, within a week, I was having normal bowel movements. I have been taking it for 3 months. I thought I was given a miracle cure. I finally didn't have to think about when I went to the bathroom last. My stomach is finally flat again. I had what I thought were no side effects. The last 3 months, though, my hair started to fall out. I have very long, thick hair. For the past 3 months, it was knotting up really badly. My hair started to feel and look much thinner, and in the shower, tons of hair was just coming out. I didn't put the 2 together until last week. I Googled Amitiza and hair loss, and I saw many other people experienced the same thing. My heart dropped when I saw that it was the Amitiza doing that. I immediately stopped taking it and for the 1st time in 3 months, my hair wasn't floating all around the shower."

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2008

"I found Amitiza moderately effective as a laxative, mostly just reducing straining. The side effects were outstanding, however. Abdominal sensations went from offensive to extremely pleasant. I spent the whole week that my prescription lasted laying around feeling like a cat in front of the fireplace. I don't think my doctor approved."

• NL7...
• May 28, 2021

"After having fissurectomy and hemorrhoidectomy surgery concurrently, I knew I was going to need something to help me when chronic constipation came back. At 46 years old, prune juice and increased fiber intake were no longer working. I was already running 2-3 miles a day and consuming enough fluids. I tried Miralax, but it was hit or miss-some days I had diarrhea, and the bloating was awful. My family physician prescribed Amitiza. It’s been a miracle drug for me. I take 24 mg once a day in the AM right after breakfast with plenty of water. I do have some abdominal gas pain later in the afternoon. Gas X minimizes this. I will take this trade-off to relieve the constipation any day! The only drawback for me is cost. I pay out of pocket because insurance will not cover it. However, I’m willing to budget wisely so I can pay for this medication! I encourage anyone who is suffering with chronic constipation to talk about Amitiza with their doctor. It has been life-changing for me!"