Methylnaltrexone and Nausea: What Users Say

• Puc...
• February 21, 2013

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I started the Relistor injections about 3 weeks ago. I was to inject 8 mg but was given the 12 mg syringe on the doctor's order. Very difficult to discard the extra mg because the syringe is not clearly marked. I now have the 8 mg syringes, which I should have gotten to start with. I take the Relistor every other day, and it works in 5 minutes. I set aside 2 hours to deal with the results. 5 to 6 bowel movements, including some diarrhea. I go from bed to bathroom and back again until done. My main problem is the nausea that accompanies the process. I did experience vomiting after the first injection, but now it is only nausea. I take Zofran a half-hour before the injection for nausea, and it helps but doesn't completely take care of it. Even with the unpleasant side effects, I am glad to have this medicine to treat the slow GI movement I have due to scleroderma, diabetes, and the opiates I take for chronic back pain."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "This medication is super expensive and does not even work. I’m unsure how it even got approved for OIC. At the time last year, Relistor was the only drug my insurance would pay for, so I tried it. I have been on opiates for over 10 years, first in pain management and now Subutex for recovery. Even at the highest dose, it did nothing, and I still was only going once a week. On my new insurance, I now take Linzess, which works a bit better, but I have to drink a cap full of Miralax as well. It also makes me super nauseous. Wish they could make a drug for this with less side effects."

• cro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2013

For Constipation, Chronic "My 1st 12 mg injection cramped me severely with sweating & nausea. Got to go about 20 mins later, had been 4 days. Have been on pain meds for 21 yrs and finally found this medicine. Getting ready for 2nd injection, hope the cramping ain't as bad as the first time."

• Mog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2021

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "With the first dose of Relistor, I had a moderate bowel movement with some straining. Later that day, I had severe nausea, stomach pain, and intense, forceful vomiting. I was so dizzy that I could not stand up. These symptoms lasted for a couple of hours. The side effects were bad enough that I will not take another dose."

• loc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "My doctor just put me on Relistor. It's been 6 weeks since I had a small bowel movement. This is my 6th day of 12mg shots, and I've only had one small bowel movement, like a rabbit! Something’s gotta give. I have cramps, nausea, sweating like crazy, severe cramps. I don't know what to do next? Help."