Amitiza for Opioid-Induced Constipation User Reviews

• Gra...
• April 23, 2014

"I'd never been regular in my whole life, it was always a problem. I was lucky if it resolved itself every 3 or 4 days. But then, once I aged and my rheumatoid arthritis advanced to a debilitating degree, I had to go on opiates... oh dear. 7-8 days or even more of being bound up became the norm. It was REALLY painful! The only way I could help myself was to stop taking my pain meds and overdose on laxatives and enemas every few days. That usually worked within 24 hrs, but it really isn't good for you. I finally confessed to my gastroenterologist that this was going on, and he prescribed me Amitiza. It took a week to work for me, but now I have the exact opposite problem. I'm on 24 mcg 2x daily. I think maybe it needs to be just once!"

• ant...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2017

"I am a recovering heroin addict and have been taking Suboxone in low-medium amounts to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as I was not able to stay clean on my own due to underlying depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and others. I have been clean for over 3 years and have had crippling constipation since on the Suboxone. My doctor prescribed me Amitiza, but told me to only take it as needed. I did experience nausea and stomach cramps at first, but now do okay with it, and have had much better bowel movements."

• sas...
• October 31, 2016

"My doctor has me on an opioid for severe spinal pain, which has caused severe constipation! So he prescribed Amitiza, 24 mcg 2 times a day. Well, now I am not sure I will continue taking it. When I first began taking Amitiza, it worked great, so my doctor wrote up a script for it. Well, now it hardly works at all! Constipation is nearly a daily situation for me and a painful one at that. I am miserable and frustrated! It has also messed up my appetite, I can barely eat food, and when I do, it makes me nauseated, and my tummy hurts as well. I am sick to my stomach if I eat and if I don't eat. I feel sick from an overload of toxin build-up (maybe I am imagining that a bit)! It is pretty messed up when you fear eating and fear not eating!?"

• A b...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2016

"I had a tummy tuck on Dec 18. The surgery was painful, but the constipation from opioids from the surgery was just as bad. My plastic surgeon wasn't familiar with treating OIC, so I called my primary care physician. She gave me Amitiza 24 mcg. It took almost two days, but it was amazing, and I was so thankful. I had to remain on opioids for three weeks, and the Amitiza worked so well I haven't had any issues!! Thank you, Amitiza!!!"

• Anonymous
• February 21, 2020

"I have seen some of the comments on here about mood changes and how their doctors said that is not a side effect. WRONG. If you have a specific mood disorder, I highly suggest avoiding the drug to avoid a crisis. Here are a few of the extreme side effects this drug can have: 'Serious side effects of Amitiza: Severe diarrhea; swelling of arms and/or legs; changes in mental health; mood changes.' I wanted to start the medication because I take 80 mg of Oxycodone and 30 mg XR of morphine a day, and I cannot go at all without assistance. Laxatives do not work anymore, and the pain and hassle of enemas and suppositories are getting to be the worst. I am still unsure about what to do."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

"I took Amitiza as prescribed (24 mg x 1) for constipation, which was a result of my medications for chronic depression and anxiety, as well as the addition of gabapentin for nerve pain. Aside from the bloating, cramps, and diarrhea, after about three days I relapsed into severe depression, even though I had been in remission for over 15 years. Not realizing my body was reacting to the Amitiza, I remained on it for about 10 days. I strongly caution anyone who is on medication for anxiety and/or depression to consider an alternative to Amitiza. Even after 3 weeks off of Amitiza, I am still struggling with the side effects of depression."

• mil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2019

"Amitiza has helped me tremendously with my gastro issues. My cost is pretty high, even with insurance, which makes it very difficult every month to refill, but I faithfully take it as prescribed; Amitiza, for me, is a LIFESAVER!!"

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2016

"I have opiate-induced constipation from narcotic pain killers. My doctor gave me samples of Manitoba, and it worked great. I didn't have any side effects other than cramping, which is to be expected with any laxative. It worked within 2 hours and continued to work throughout the rest of the day. I would definitely recommend taking this on a day you have nothing to do. It causes a little gas and stomach cramps that feel like you're gonna have diarrhea. But it definitely does the job. I also had a little nausea after taking it, but it was worth it. Especially if you have been dealing with chronic constipation for a while. Anything is better than the constant bloating and pain associated with constipation."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2017

"My gastroenterologist prescribed Amitiza to help with constipation caused by a medication I am taking. I took one capsule (24 mcg) daily for five days, then began taking two (48 mcg) daily (too big a dose?). The medication worked wonderfully to help relieve the constipation, but the side effects I am experiencing may cause me to stop taking it. I am having headaches, runny nose, fatigue, overall 'bad' feeling, muscle pain, chills, nausea, and a sensation of almost passing out. I consider these side effects pretty drastic. It's possible they will go away or minimize if I continue to take the capsules, but I'm not sure I'm willing to risk it."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2016

"Absolutely do NOT take Amitiza if you're on Methadone. I thought I would die! After my first symptom of feeling like I was having a heart attack, I immediately went to the website, and what did I see? 'Talk to your doctor if taking methadone.' OMG, the severe side effects are not worth it when there are so many other medications out there."

• bes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

"Millie, I have been taking Amitiza for over a year. Like others, I was given samples for the first month. Because my OIC (opioid-induced constipation) was severe, I continued to take it, hoping it would kick in and work on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it never worked. The side effects were bloating, belching, and stomach discomfort. I've since tried another OIC med (Linzess). When all else fails, I go back to milk of magnesia on an as-needed basis. My biggest regret was staying with the Amitiza for almost two years."

• vkm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2015

"It seemed to work for a couple of days. Afterwards, I had the side effect of over-sleeping. I slept an extra 3 hours on the 3rd morning of this drug's use. Also, no output. I had to use an enema to get some output. No s**t!! I wasted hundreds of dollars in cash on this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2018

"Caused severe bloating and cramping and did nothing to relieve the constipation. Just made it more painful to the point that you can't function. Tried on 2 separate occasions with the same result. Another high-priced miracle drug that doesn't deliver."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2023

"I took the first dose and thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. I got very flushed. I felt like my body was on fire. I got very faint and was soaking wet from head to toe. My husband had to carry me to bed because I couldn’t even stand up. I fell asleep (passed out?) and slept for 6 hours. Got up and still felt very unsteady. Had some water and slept for another 9 hours. I’m never EVER taking it again."

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

"The nausea hit within 20 minutes or so. I kept trying to vomit in the toilet, but just dry heaving. I was crying at the same time, and my poor cat was standing near me crying, too. I was sick for hours and really thought about calling an ambulance. I laid down with a blanket and was shivering. This has been the worst experience I have ever had with a prescription drug. I feel so bad I will not be able to take my other meds tonight. I am afraid I will throw them up."

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2022

"I've been in a drug abuse treatment program with Suboxone for three years. I take a low dose and had eventually worked through the constipation once my body adjusted to the daily meds. Then, about a year and a half ago, the constipation started again. Naturally, I tried OTC laxatives, which didn't work. I spoke with my doctor, and he put me on Amitiza. I can say that I do go daily now. I still have to add a natural laxative and fiber supplements to my regimen, though. These things by themselves don't work for me, but together they do. Here's my issue, though. I get very dizzy and nauseous after taking my morning dose. I take it with my breakfast and plenty of water. Some days, the side effects are worse than others, and sometimes I don't have any at all. Currently, I'm flat on my back, and my whole day is shot because of these meds. This isn't my first go-around with an OIC med. I just want to be regular without feeling sick all the time!!"

• Eey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2017

"The first time I took this, it worked in less than a half hour. The second and third day, a little over an hour. The fourth day, nothing happened. So I took a second pill at bedtime, but nothing happened. I'm so disappointed. I really needed this to work."

• cvd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2017

"It works great, however, it did stop working for me after the first month. Apparently, I was on a low dosage once per day, but now I have put on the appropriate dosage. But because I am 'backed up,' I am taking Miralax to get things moving again, hopefully. Then I am to start back on Amitiza at this dosage, which is appropriate for OIC: 24 mcg 2 times per day with a full glass of water. So I hope it works again. When it was working, it was great. I went to the bathroom like normal!"

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2017

"I have been on opioid medications for 7 years for sensory neuropathy. I took Amitiza for one month and no effect. When I took Movantik and Amitiza together for 9 weeks now, I've been almost normal in bowel movements, it's tremendous."

• Sil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2017

"Doctor gave me 24 mcg samples in February for OIC and the resulting anal fissures. We started at once daily, but it worked a little TOO well! Once we reduced it to every other day, things seem to be working properly."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2018

"I’m not going to ever take any medication again before reading people’s real experiences on forums. I think if you tend toward nausea, don’t take this medication. I’m so much worse now after one dose. I’m so sick of medication that makes me sicker. I’m going back to magnesium for constipation. I have some cramping with it, but it works, and the magnesium is helping my other problems. Just have to get a good brand, find the right dosage, and keep it up. It’s really all they’re giving you to clean you out before a colonoscopy."

• Dar...
• August 8, 2019

"I’ve been on Zubsolv for several years and only had BM about every 1 to 1 1/2 weeks. I got really tired of the bloating and discomfort, so my doctor gave me some samples of this drug. It worked a few hours after the first dose and then nothing. Immediately back to constipation. I’m so disappointed, as I was looking forward to being regular again. I will be trying another drug that will hopefully work better."

• awf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2016

"I tried this about 5 times. The first few times were okay. Then it all went downhill. I went from chronic constipation to straight-up liquid stool. This happened 2-3 hours after taking the pill. Never again!"

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2017

"Tried this medication for opioid-induced constipation. Have been on opioids for chronic pain issues for about 7 years. Have also had rectal cancer and have a permanent colostomy bag. This medication did nothing to help my constipation. It caused severe stomach cramping about one hour after I took it. With a colostomy bag, you should never be constipated. I do take four capfuls of Miralax daily. This does make me have very runny stools. It is expensive, though, and doesn't taste the greatest. In fact, I can hardly get the Miralax down at this point. I can't seem to find anything really to help. I also take 4 SennaKot tablets every day. I wouldn't recommend this medication."

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

"I recently had back surgery and was given Dilaudid for pain. I have lymphocytic colitis, which usually means lots of watery diarrhea, but I had been having constipation before my back surgery. After surgery, the constipation has been awful. My doctor gave me samples of Amitiza, and I took one 24 mcg pill a day, and after the 3rd day, it was somewhat easier to have a bowel movement. It’s now been about 2 weeks, and my doctor increased it to 2 pills a day. It is not working at all. I am more constipated than I was before surgery. I don’t know whether to continue on it or not. I hate this bloated, full feeling all the time. Any suggestions?"