Plecanatide and Headaches: What Users Say

• Alp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medicine is working very well for me. I have gastroparesis due to a connective tissue disorder and have issues with becoming severely backed up. For years, I have been using magnesium, flax seed oil, Senna+, and occasionally enemas when it is an emergency. It's been a constant battle. I've been using Trulance for a week and am having productive BMs daily and it feels like a miracle. I take it at night before bed. I did have one instance where it worked 'too well' at 3 am, but it was brief (10 minutes). The only downside is if I don't drink a ton of water on this medication, I get pretty bad headaches, probably due to dehydration because of the way this medication works. Once I increased my water intake to 90 oz. a day, the headaches went away."

• gin...
• January 13, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "This medicine is supposed to be taken every day. With the approval from my doctor, I take it twice a week. This medicine typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. Get up at 4 AM and take it with a full glass of water. I work at 9 AM from home, so my bowel movements are typically done then. Be prepared to be at home for 4-6 hours. Occasionally, I do have abdominal pain from the medicine. Starts with some solid poo and then changes to diarrhea. I typically go diarrhea around 5-7 times that morning. My side effects on good days are just diarrhea. HOWEVER, I have a bad day at least every other week where the medicine makes me so sick and weak. It makes my chest feel really weak and my body. I typically stay somewhat dizzy throughout the day and can get headaches. Regardless of these episodes, for me, the medicine is still worth it to not be living in constant horrific pain from bowel movements and constipation."

• BRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I hadn't gone in 5 days when my insurance finally approved Trulance. My doctor had prescribed Linzess, but the insurance company denied it. They wanted me to try Trulance first. (My longest was 8 days without a BM, and I ended up in the ER for bleeding after straining.) I took the pill shortly after I picked it up from the pharmacy. Within 1 hour, I had explosive diarrhea.... yes, I felt relief but not better. The side effects are too much... headaches (and yes, I drink tons of water), lack of energy (I am usually bouncing off the walls), and the fast weight gain (4 lbs in two days)! I also experienced no bowel movement when I took the second, third, and fourth dose. Horrible indigestion and just a flu-like feeling. I hope one day I can find relief, but for now, I think I will go back to laxatives and stool softeners."

• lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Second day on Trulance, both days I took half a pill. Just to be sure I'd go, I had taken 2 sennas the night before. Today's result was watery as if I'd taken mag. citrate. For me, this is pretty powerful. I think it'd be best if they would give a 1 mg tablet. No doubt I can stop the senna now. I wanted to because over time you need more and more of senna (for me anyway). So now I'll skip the senna (was on 4-5 pills) and try half the pill. If that works, I'll try 1/4 or 1/3. I can see why headaches are an issue sometimes...losing a lot of water. So drinking up!"

• Jsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Been on 3 weeks. No diarrhea in either Linzess or Trulance. Overall, Trulance was a bit better. Still need Colace every day. Have headache, leg cramps, slight rash, warmth, and fatigue. Maybe depression. Doctor says not side effects. Duh!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After years of trying everything on the market, including Linzess and Amitiza, I was given samples. It has been working great! I do have days of loose stools, but the alternative to me is worse. I go every day, and my bloating is gone! No cramping, headache, or bloating. I would recommend this medication. I'm not sure the cost, though, I haven't purchased from the pharmacy yet. I hope it is not too expensive! Drug companies need to know that what we go through is awful, and these drugs should be covered by insurance!"

• KCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I had to share my experience. Opposite of most. I was afraid to even try this, reading how much diarrhea people get. Took the first one in the evening and prepared to rush to the bathroom. Felt nothing. Next morning, I had a very small hard bowel motion. Throughout the day, I began to feel progressively more sick. Headache, exhausted, foggy, shaky. Almost a migraine-type feeling. Took the second dose that evening. Woke up the next morning feeling like I was run over by a train. Horrible headache, shaking, pain in face behind eyes, totally wiped out. I was completely bloated, felt like I had a round balloon in my stomach. I had a hard time getting through the day and decided I needed to stop. It took a full 24 hours to feel better. Finally, 36 hours later, I have started pooping again and the headache is fading. This medicine was NOT for me. I have never had such serious side effects."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Been having constipation for over a year due to autonomic neuropathy, I was only going perhaps once a week or less, and then it was a small amount. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and put on that medication. The constipation continued. Went back to the gastroenterologist, who prescribed this medication. On the morning of the 9th day (8 days of taking the medication), it finally kicked in, filled the pot, twice that day. However, constipation continued to the point I had a blockage. I have had no relief since day 9 and have used it for 6 weeks so far. I take the medication at the same time each day. It's like taking nothing, again. I have started experiencing headaches, unknown if related to this particular medication or to the autonomic neuropathy. Will be returning to the doctor for other ideas."

• ays...
• October 6, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on a high dose of Linzess and finally, with probiotics, got on a regular schedule. Due to insurance issues, I was switched to Trulance. Trulance, so far, has caused constipation, extreme lethargy, headaches, and a weird depression. I would rather go back to Linzess and have liquid stools than have no stools at all. I have had to drink tons of Miralax to get any relief. I don't think the Trulance does anything whatsoever but have bad side effects."

• Sof...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication has given me a lot of relief. I would say I am 85% back to what my bowel used to be 4 years ago before the symptoms appeared in my life. I have been to 3 gastro doctors and have tried Montegrity, Lynzess, and Amitza. All of them gave me side effects that I could not live with. I went into depression as no one could, until this day, tell me what is exactly wrong with me. My symptoms are bloating, like extreme to the point I have to lay down for periods of time because of how uncomfortable it is. Also, constipation followed by diarrhea. I have tried elimination diets as well for over 3 years, and nothing seemed to help. My last gastro doctor recommended Trulance, and so I tried it, and immediately I had a bowel movement and with no headaches, stomach aches, or bloating. I did experience diarrhea, but I take that before constipation any day. I find it works best when I take it in the morning with a full bottle of water on an empty stomach and then eat breakfast. I need to go to the bathroom immediately."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doc gave samples. After the first pill, no issues. I took it in the evening and had a small BM the next day. Not that impressed, I took the second pill the following evening. The next day, another small BM. I was hoping for more output. However, I also woke up with a headache that just lingered the whole day. At night, after dinner and before taking my third dose, I began experiencing the worst colic pain and cramping of my life! I was writhing in pain! I could hear my bowels gurgling from time to time, but no diarrhea or nothing else was coming out, no matter how long I tried on the toilet. Just pain and cramping all night. Obviously, I skipped my third dose as I did not want to risk more nightmarish pain! The next morning I finally was able to have two small bowel motions, but I also felt wiped out and was still feeling dull pain and cramping. Have not had the chance to reach out to my doctor yet, but I am pretty sure I am passing on this drug!"

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Having LUQ pain for three years. Colonoscopy in CT showed nothing, hence, blamed on IBS – C. Linzess was tried, but I ended up in the ER twice with an allergic reaction – severe headache, abdominal pain, and intractable nausea and vomiting. Trulance was tried, and so far, it seems to be working well. Usually, between 2-4 hours, I have several BMs, including but not always diarrhea. After about four hours, everything is fine. I still take MiraLAX a couple of times a week and drink plenty of water. I have also tried a half a pill (one and a half milligrams) with OK results, but less consistent results. My only complaint is the cost, and that’s absolutely obscene ($1600 for 90 pills)."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been dealing with chronic constipation for about 4 years. Trulance worked for me the first 2 days (explosive diarrhea after it stopped working). I had to use suppositories as my belly was so swollen, and I felt a constant exhausted, dizzy lack of motivation, slightly depressed, terrible headache. Awful drug for me. I had to stop. For me, it didn’t work."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "First time taking Trulance, it did nothing over 5 days, except stomach grumbling, headaches, and mild dizziness. Trying it again, and now I get watery diarrhea within a few hours of taking it, which takes up half my day. I cut back to every other day with the same results. I also have diverticulosis, which flares up terribly after all the diarrhea. Now I'm getting indigestion and some reflux, along with bloating. Not sure if this is the answer."

• Pop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After all the things over the years taken for constipation, I was excited for this pill. Diarrhea would be better than blown up forever. WRONG! Took one pill yesterday. Wham, bathroom for projectile diarrhea! After 5 times, I'm worn out and changing my clothes and cleaning the toilet over and over. Stomach sounded like a T-Rex inside! Bad headache ever since also. And after all the pre-authorization!! Wish I had read these reviews first!! I can't give this time to level out. Can't take the chance not to meet this awful headache. Welcome back senna and Miralax, etc."