Lubiprostone and Constipation: What Users Say

• sas...
• October 31, 2016

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "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

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "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!!!"

• Mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was taking Linzess with total success. Then insurance wanted me to try Amitiza. Then I became twice as constipated and had extreme fatigue, abdominal cramps that felt like labor pains, headaches, and severe dehydration, and my movements went from 3 to 4 days to 5 to 7 days. I became toxic. I will never take that Amitiza again. I swear it is nothing more than a placebo. Bad stuff. I now have to reschedule my colonoscopy because of a blockage that could have been prevented. My life and health are a joke to Fidelis insurance."

• jm1...
• July 19, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Before taking Amitiza, I had stomach pain every single time I ate, suffered from severe constipation, had gas and bloating. I take 24 mg twice a day, and my pain has completely diminished, but I still have severe constipation and still get bloated every time I eat. The medicine does help, but not completely."

• IBS...
• July 7, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've tried Amitiza for my IBS. I have been dealing with this for over 11 years after I had a hernia repair, then it had to be repaired not 3 times but 6 times. So much scar tissue and my large intestines wrapped themselves around the mesh, I had to have another surgery to correct that. I have had small and large blockages for the longest, being hospitalized for over a month, not able to use it. I became so stressed, not able to use the bathroom. After being on Amitiza for maybe 3-4 weeks, the doctor changed me over to Linzess. Even with me having to have strong pain medication to fight my chronic pain, I know that it would constipate me, but it only helped, changing diet plans for my body to adjust to the facts of me living with IBS. However, my body didn't accept Amitiza, how many of you all have shared stories? I even had to go old school, drinking the castor oil, milk of magnesia. Did Amitiza work??? NO & NO.... Sorry, but Amitiza didn't help with my IBS."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2023

"I had colon cancer in 2007 and survived (3rd stage). However, every two years afterward, I experienced lower bowel blockages. I was informed that it was due to scar tissue from the four surgeries I had. I was always concerned about what to eat. There were periods when I improved, but as a naturally thin person, I easily lost weight. My usual weight was 175 pounds, but at one point, I dropped to 160 pounds. In 2022, I noticed severe constipation again. I couldn't have a bowel movement for 5-6 days, if at all. Eventually, I had another total blockage and had to go to the emergency room once more. While there, I saw a gastroenterologist who prescribed me Amitiza. I had doubts after trying various other treatments over the years. I started taking one Amitiza pill on a Monday morning, even though the recommended dose was two. After 2-3 days, I still didn't see any improvement, and I felt very bloated. However, on the fourth day, my stomach began cramping, and I finally had a bowel movement! This has continued for 2-3 consecutive days, and I am incredibly happy. Amitiza has been a lifesaver for me! If anyone reading this is considering taking it, please be patient. It was difficult to wait, but it was worth it! Also, remember to drink plenty of water. I am praying that the positive effects continue."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I'm a woman who's had IBS for 50 years. A male GI was no help—his notes said I was 'too concerned with my bowel movements'. Apparently, a skeptic about IBS. I saw a PA, who prescribed Amitiza. I took 24 mcg 2x daily for more than a year, which worked well until I started having episodes of thin diarrhea without warning. I discontinued Amitiza, and my bowels worked normally for a couple of months, but the old familiar constipation is back. I will try 24 mcg once a day. I have no idea if that will work and realize that my PA would prefer monitoring me. However, I feel at this point that I have enough sense about my own body to make this decision myself. Just be aware: even if the drug works well, your response to it may change."

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

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "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."

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

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "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?"

• Dar...
• August 8, 2019

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "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

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "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!"

• Joy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I would not ever recommend this drug. I had used Vicodin for a short time and had constipation. You will go to the bathroom with this, but the abdominal cramps are unbearable. I even cut the dose in half and still had horrible cramps. Also, I felt lightheaded and in a fog."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I’ve been on Amitiza 24 mg for 2 years. At first, it was 2 pills a day, but the side effects were horrible. The doctor then reduced it to 1 pill a day, and at first, it worked great. But in the last year, I’ve had constant, explosive diarrhea with constant stomach pains. Last Saturday was the last straw, and I stopped taking it. Now I’m a little constipated and have some stomach pain, but no explosive diarrhea. The medicine they give you to stop the diarrhea, while on Amitiza, constipates me for a week and makes me feel extremely uncomfortable and full. I’ll take IBS constipation over that any day."

• cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2015

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "It was great! I also have adhesions which cause constipation too, used the Relistor injection, and it never worked."

• Jea...
• September 1, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I think Amitiza made me more constipated, and I look pregnant all the time. Hate it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2012

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "This is my second attempt with Amitiza (this time at the lower dose). Unbearably nauseated once again on top of the constipation and abdominal cramping. Does not work for me at all."

• Cut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "A doctor told me he thinks I have IBS with chronic constipation. Had constipation before and after I started taking Percocet for pain."