Zofran and Constipation: What Users Say

• zof...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I have been taking this medication at least once a week for about four years now. I have terrible stomach issues now that I no longer have my gallbladder that cause stomach pain, nausea and no appetite, as well as anxiety that manifests as nausea and stomach pain. I also have a HUGE fear of vomiting. This pill has always worked and kept me from vomiting, but on occasion the nausea sticks around but it’s nothing too terrible. I don’t know what I would do without this medication. It helps me live a normal life. I take 4 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, if it’s a rough day I’ll take 8 mg every 6-8 hours. The only downfall is the side effect of constipation, but as someone who is terrified of vomiting, I’ll take the constipation over vomiting any day."

• Hgg...
• April 22, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "I have hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and have been miserable. Zofran is keeping me out of the ER right now. At first, I noticed it made me a little dizzy, and it still makes me feel just a little weird within the first hour, but it’s extremely tolerable. The constipation is super annoying, but talk to your doctor about it if that’s an issue, and you can probably take something to help that. It stops me from throwing up, but I am still definitely nauseous. Brings it from like a 10 to a 5 or 6 maybe, but I can EAT now. That is huge. I am eating small meals when I haven’t had a meal in weeks. I’ve been barely eating and drinking. I am completely dependent on Zofran to be any type of functional right now. It makes me a little tired but also gives me more energy to not just stay in bed all day because it makes me feel better. Highly recommend, just watch out for the side effects I mentioned. Nothing to be scared of, extremely tolerable for me :)"

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Nausea/Vomiting "I suffer from both severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting) AND a panic disorder which causes nausea and gastric upset. I spent many years trapped in a horrible cycle of panicking any time I felt the slightest twinge of nausea, which in turn induced intense stomach upset, sometimes to the point of heaving. I've tried other anti-nausea medications in the past (Phenergan, Compazine), with so-so results, and the annoying side effect of extreme drowsiness. Zofran has been a real lifesaver for me. Within minutes of taking a pill, my nausea subsides. The only side effect I've experienced has been constipation, but I'll take that over vomiting any day!"

• pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "I'm taking this for morning sickness. I feel like it has given me my life back. I lost over 6 lbs in 5 days due to nausea and vomiting and was too sick to do anything for my toddler, myself, or my home. I can tell when it's starting to wear off (at about 6.5-7 hr.) because the nausea comes right back. I'll take being backed up and a little drowsy as a side effect... It allows me to eat and keep things down and be present in my family's life. Never thought I'd be so happy to take a medication, but I'm SO thankful for Zofran."

• J13...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given this medication after a severe bout of anxiety and panic attacks. I lost 25 lbs in 2 weeks due to the panic and had no appetite. Of course, when you don't eat for that long, nausea can easily set in. I couldn't even move off the couch for fear of feeling extremely sick or dry heaving. I was finally given this miracle pill, and the nausea quickly went from 10 (the worst) to easily a 2 or 3 within about 45 minutes. I took it for a week as I tried to get my appetite back and anxiety under control with other meds. Highly effective. I did experience some constipation from this medication, but that could also be due to the starvation mode I was in for 2 weeks. Either way, highly recommend to anyone dealing with nausea."

• Ess...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "I am currently 25 weeks pregnant and have had bad nausea/morning sickness since week 5. This medicine has been wonderful. There are times when I still feel sick, but it's bearable, and I don't throw up. I've been taking it so long now that the sleepiness it causes doesn't affect me anymore. However, the constipation from it has been a downer."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2017

For Gastroenteritis "I suffer from ulcers and get acid indigestion all the time. Of course, with that, I experience nausea daily. When it gets too intense, I take a 4 mg Zofran, and within 20-30 minutes, it subsides. I thank God this medicine was created! In the beginning, I would get constipated for about 24 hours after taking a pill, but I don't have that anymore. I am thankful for this medicine because I hate nausea/vomiting."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Zofran is a miracle drug! I've had this medication for several years on an as-needed basis. With my IBS and anxiety, I tend to get nauseous easily. Whatever the cause of my nausea may be, Zofran works every single time. Now that it's dissolvable, it makes it so much easier to take. The relief happens within 20-30 minutes, and usually 1 tablet is all I need. I do experience 2 side effects each and every time: a painful headache after the drug wears off (6-8 hours after taken) and constipation (practically nonexistent bowel movements) for 2-3 days. For the headache, OTC migraine meds work best. The constipation isn't bothersome enough for me to treat."

• jap...
• March 8, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "I love this medication, it has made such a difference in my life. I was on the Zofran pump while pregnant for hyperemesis gravidarum, it is the reason I was able to carry my child to term. It is the reason we are both here today. I continue to take Zofran as needed for nausea stemming from complications with fibromyalgia, IBS, and celiac disease. It can cause constipation from time to time, but that is much easier than nausea and vomiting all the time. It melts quickly, and within minutes, the nausea is gone."

• Jor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2024

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was diagnosed with cannabis hyperemesis about 2 months back. Unfortunately, at the time, it didn't seem like anything was going to work. Eventually, was admitted to the hospital due to severe dehydration. Body went into survival mode. Was throwing up for hours a day until dry heaving. About a month after symptoms started occurring again. Was given promethazine (which works great but sedation is tenfold) as well as it can only be taken for about 10 days at a time due to its harsh nature on the body. Started taking Zofran again, this time around it works. Knocks down the nausea from a 10 down to a 5 or 6 on good days. It really does help. I don't have any major side effects, aside from the constipation. No tiredness or dizzy spells. The activation time is about 30-60 minutes for me. Usually 4 mg every 8 hours. If that doesn't help, Benadryl 25mg 3x daily on top of it can also help with nausea."

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2011

For Nausea/Vomiting "Zofran is a lifesaver! Works quickly and very well. I get bad anxiety and worry a lot, which causes recent and sometimes unbearable stomach upset. One pill and I'm good! I am so happy I found relief. It does cause constipation for me, but I'd much rather deal with that!"

• aaa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Zofran is incredible. I was prescribed it when I started suffering from constant nausea about three months ago, and it has been a lifesaver ever since. It works almost immediately, even after taking it for so long, and has only not worked twice, both times when I had already eaten fatty or greasy foods and had other meds in my system. It can make you extremely constipated, so make sure you're hydrating yourself and consuming lots of fiber, but other than that, I never experienced an adverse side effect or interaction."

• Mar...
• April 30, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "I've been dealing with extreme nausea and vomiting for the past 6 months, and it finally got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and went to the ER. They gave me Zofran through IV and was feeling better in about an hour. After I was released, I was on 4 mg every 8 hours, and for about a week, I was back to my old self. Then things started to go downhill, and they boosted it to 8 mg. Now it doesn't even work anymore and makes me more nauseous than I was before. I also got pretty bad constipation and headaches after taking the medication. Not to mention, if you're taking the tablets, be ready to handle the taste because it is DISGUSTING."

• Me ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "Zofran is great for nausea, but watch out for the constipation. I was prescribed 15 8 mg tablets last week and have used one tablet a day since then (about 5 days now), and after waiting, walking, and drinking copious amounts of water, I am going to need to try a suppository or laxative and have my dosage of Zofran decreased to 4 mg. Great medication, it does give me nausea relief, just something to be prepared for, I know I wasn't."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Wow! I went to the ER on Tuesday night, and it is now Friday, and I was given Zofran for my nausea on top of everything else I was dealing with, and this crap has made me nothing but nauseous with lots of throwing up and constipated! Not sure how long this is supposed to last, but it’s freaking annoying, and I definitely don’t see myself taking this ever again."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given Zofran for all-day morning sickness during pregnancy. It works very well, but causes constipation, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. If I wait at least 12 or more hours between doses, the side effects are milder and the nausea is almost completely gone. Before I had this drug, I was miserable and missing work."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2011

For Nausea/Vomiting "Have been taking this medicine for the past 17 weeks with severe hyperemesis. Have been hospitalized 7 times with dehydration. This was mainly when I had the flu on top of the morning sickness. Zofran is a really great medicine, I'm on 8 mg three times a day. Side effects include lack of appetite and constipation. But the benefits far outweigh the risk of not having it. I am able to eat and drink what I need to keep this baby growing, and although I am still not able to return to work, I am able to do day-to-day tasks. In Australia, this isn't covered by any insurance at all, and for the 8 mg, they are $120 for 10 tablets, so at 3 a day and not being able to work, it is costing us a fortune, but again, on the positive side, the baby is healthy!"

• rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "I have hyperemesis gravidarum. Never have I experienced relief with Zofran, minimal, if at all. Constipation goes hand in hand with this drug, and I'd rather have N&V all day than be as constipated as I am right now. You have to weigh your pros and cons with this drug, and it's not for me."

• mom...
• September 23, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "I take this medicine for severe morning sickness. I would have lost my job if it weren't for this medicine! It's the best! I only have good things to say about it! The only side effects I have are light headaches, anxiety at night sometimes, not often, and constipation, but I will take any of those any day over having to be glued to the toilet and in bed for 3 or more months!"

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2008

For Nausea/Vomiting "Until my doctor gave me Zofran, I was one of the millions of women who suffered terrible morning sickness. It was so bad, in fact, that I couldn't work. The first day I took it, I became dizzy, but the vomiting stopped. The dizziness was gone by the second day. It did cause constipation, and I was hungry all the time. By the second trimester, I went off of it and found that my bowel movements returned to normal and my appetite had returned to somewhat normal. It definitely serves its purpose during the first trimester."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "At first, it worked for me when it was given to me at the hospital. It was then prescribed to me by my doctor for nausea and vomiting from gallstones. After a few hours of taking Zofran, I started to experience body tremors, and I still have residual nausea too. It also makes me feel very sleepy from it too. I think it has also caused me to be constipated since I haven't had a bowel movement in a few days. Not sure if I would recommend this to anyone. It does kind of work, but not well for me."

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I find Zofran to be totally worthless, regardless of format or strength. Not only does it not help, but also it causes constipation that greatly aggravates my existing nausea and abdominal pain even further. I am dealing with that now, after a recent ER visit, and regretting not having refused it."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 25, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I used this along with Phenergan suppositories, but I couldn't keep the pill down, so I did the dissolvable. The dissolvable tasted bad, but if you drink a little (like a very small amount) of almond milk or regular milk right after, it takes away the bad taste. I did have to take Miralax because it made me very constipated at times, but it beat vomiting 20+ times a day. I also had Zofran through an IV three times a week with fluids, which felt like the biggest relief."

• 3be...
• November 16, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative "I had a horrible reaction to the anesthesia after surgery and was given Zofran for the nausea. I am now three weeks taking it, and it has been a lifesaver for me. It works really fast, and the only side effect I have is hard stools."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Could not tolerate this drug during chemo RX. Hated it prescribed for three cycles of my red devil chemo treatment. It caused paranoia, constipation, which caused increased vomiting, and also probably added to the chemonesia issues. Zofran was replaced by Emend, and I had 180 degrees different drug and had no issues whatsoever. Zofran interferes with serotonin in the brain."