Trulance and Diarrhea: What Users Say

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

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "For 12 years I have struggled with severe constipation. My body laughed at laxatives and enemas. Nothing worked and I went to the hospital more times than I can count because of it. Two weeks ago, I went 16 days without passing anything, a new record for me. My OB sent me to my fourth GI Dr (I'm pregnant) and she gave me two weeks of samples of Trulance. She said this was new and approved for pregnancy. She also said a period of diarrhea was likely but to stick it through and see if it works before giving up. It's only been 3 days, and today I had my first full, perfect consistency bowel movement in over a decade, and I actually cried. I've been waiting for this breakthrough for so long."

• Avi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Started this last year, and the first 2 weeks were rough. I'd get gurgling sensations in my stomach each time I took it, along with bloating, gas, and diarrhea for a couple of hours. BUT, my GI warned me that it could happen, and to give my body time to adjust. After 2 weeks, the gurgling stopped. Diarrhea turned into 1-2 times a day, and since then, I am having regular bowel movements. No side effects. The only exception is when I eat certain types of food (normally greasy or high in fat). I notice that I have 1 or 2 loose bowel movements the following day. Having IBS with constipation, this was the only medicine that was able to keep me regular. I used to go 5-6 days without going. I was in pain, backed up, bloated, and had no life because I always felt terrible. Not anymore. I know some people can't handle the diarrhea, but I promise you, it is normal at first, but you have to give it a chance, beyond just a couple of days."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication has been life-changing for me. I've had multiple colonoscopies and tried every drug (both prescription and non-prescription) you could find. I've been on Trulance for over a year now. For me, I've discovered it works best taking the medication before bed with a glass of water, so it works overnight. On occasion, I've experienced mild diarrhea but I would take that over constipation any day! Other than that, no side effects at all! I would highly recommend Trulance to anyone suffering! It really has changed my life."

• JLB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been on Linzess for several years with occasional diarrhea, but not painful. It has worked very well for me. My insurance company recently required I try Trulance for 3 months. I am just starting on my 3rd month, and I can count on one hand the number of days I have not had explosive diarrhea. Within about 2 hours of taking it, my guts start grumbling and rolling, followed by cramping, then usually 2 or 3 trips to the bathroom within a couple of hours time period. I have had hemorrhoids swell up and bleeding at one point, it was so bad. My next biggest complaint would have to be the packaging! It’s ridiculous, almost impossible to pull the insert out without ripping it open."

• SAL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been diagnosed and struggling with IBS for over 25 years and recently started taking Linzess for about a year. Then it no longer worked, so I tried samples of Amitzia which worked, but my insurance denied the prescription. I started seeing a GI doctor who prescribed Trulance. For the first 7 days, I had no results. I went to the ER complaining of 3 weeks of constipation, got an x-ray and CT scan which showed no stool in my intestine. That was a $125 copay wasted. Three days later, I started having diarrhea constantly, my bottom was sore, and I was exhausted from sitting on the toilet and not being able to go to bed. Trulance works better for me when I take it after I eat, an hour later, I have good bowel movements and have been regular since taking the medication. I pray it continues to work."

• Wen...
• August 17, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I’ve had IBS-C for about 5 years now. They started me on Linzess, and I have taken all the types of doses it comes in. Even though it worked, it made me still spend way more time in the bathroom due to constant diarrhea, almost so bad I couldn’t hold it in. After years of running to the bathroom all day every day or sitting in bed in pain from not taking it, they put me on Trulance. At first, it took a while to come around as I thought it was worse than Linzess or didn’t work, but after giving it more time, I realized I mostly only have one or two good movements a day that don’t cause pain. I can even skip it for a day and mostly still have a good movement on the skipped day. My only complaint is that sometimes it seems to move a bit too fast for my track, and I have pale diarrhea, which after all my testing the doctors say is that side effect. I would really recommend it, but just advise to give it time because it definitely didn’t start well for me but has now become my lifesaver."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used this medication yesterday, and it made me extremely ill. I have chronic constipation, but Metamucil usually gives me good relief. My doctor recommended I try Trulance, and it was a big mistake. I had severe stomach cramps within two hours and then had severe diarrhea for at least four hours. I also became nauseated within this time. I thought that Trulance was advertised to work differently than a laxative, but it does not. Its effects were worse than the strongest laxative I have ever taken. The effects were most comparable to a stomach virus. Think hard and beware before you use this medication."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’ve tried Trulance on and off for a few months due to intolerable side effects I’ve had to take breaks. Unable to go to the bathroom without it, I become very sick so I go back on. Side effects are: Complete exhaustion, listless, apathy, depression with some really dark thoughts, mostly because I can’t function much and I find this intolerable. I have diarrhea, feel very warm, terrible rashes, and disorientation. Basically making some existing condition worse. But, I can move bowels. Lately, it has been acting like a laxative. A few weeks ago, it normalized my BMs. There’s more..., but for now that’s it. I don’t know where to turn next. I think I’ve tried everything over a lifetime. Thanks for listening."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered with chronic constipation for most of my life, and I am 34. I have tried laxatives, increasing water and fiber, and changed my diet. Also, I have taken Lactulose and Linzess. Linzess worked but really dehydrated me, it was a flood of water with most of my bowel movements. Trulance is much more gentle, although I do get diarrhea with every bowel movement, which I’m fine with. I have been taking Trulance for 2 years, and it has really helped me. I take it 3 to 4 days a week because it works within an hour to a few hours. I take it on the days I want to have a bowel movement. I haven’t had any side effects that I have noticed during the time I have taken the medicine. I have been able to maintain my weight and lose a bit over the last two years with diet and exercise."

• Pen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I’ve been taking this medicine for a month now (3mg). The first time I took it, I had a whale call from my insides and had explosive diarrhea for about an hour. I knew that it was a side effect and that it could go away with time. No. Three weeks later and still the same thing. I take the pill and within 20-60 minutes, I get the squirts normally around 10 times. I do feel clear and less bloated, but I am scared to take it on days I have a meeting, will be traveling, will be going outside, etc. Basically, I don’t want to squirt in my pants! This stuff I have no control when the urge hits. And the pain that comes with squirting pure stomach acid is so much to handle. It’s not always acid, but it is at least 1 out of 5 times. I have acid reflux but I would have that if I took the meds or not. Lord help us"

• Dar...
• June 21, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) at 19 in 2014. After trying both Amitiza and Linzess, this medicine has worked wonders that the other two had not. I could never go while on Amitiza, and I had diarrhea to a point it was just water on Linzess. Went to my gastro after having tender stomach pains and bloating and was switched to this. So far, so good. I poop on a normal consistent basis with no side effects. No more laxatives just to go to the bathroom. Thank goodness for finding something for CIC that works for me. I'd definitely recommend to others who are suffering this nasty 'disease'. Kudos"

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on Trulance since July 16. I have nerve damage in my stomach (gastroparesis) and rectal nerve damage from type 1 diabetes. I have a very hard time having a BM. I was on Linzess and then on Amitiza. They gave me diarrhea at all times of the day. I also have fecal incontinence. I could rarely go out of the house. Trulance is like a miracle for me. I take Trulance, and within an hour, I start going. I go about 5-10 times in the next 1 to 2 hours. I have a mixture of solid and diarrhea when I go. I think because there is solid with diarrhea, I am able to control it until I reach the bathroom. When this process is over, I can go about the rest of the day until the next pill. I am happily able to go away during these times with confidence."

• SWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have dealt with chronic idiopathic constipation for years. The only thing that worked was Dulcolax, and that causes crazy diarrhea. I had awful stomach bloating to the point people thought I was pregnant. The instant I ate, I would feel swelling, my bra got tighter, my wedding ring would cut into me, etc. I was given a 4-week supply of Trulance by my doctor. The results are...I no longer bloat and have stomach pain and knots. I'm not scared to eat anymore. The bowel movements are here and there. Before, it was maybe once every 2 weeks. Now it's maybe 2 in one week. I am going to keep taking this just for the comfort of eating."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been suffering 45 years with severe IBS. I have taken every single prescription and over-the-counter medicine for it. Everything works for a couple of days and then I’m back to normal. I am now taking Trulance and it is like a miracle drug. Within an hour to two after I take it, I feel gurgling in my stomach and then I go diarrhea about 4 times. I feel amazing. No bloatedness anymore. I feel so empty and it feels great. Highly recommend this pill."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Basically, hit and miss with variable results and variable adverse events. I am taking it for hard stool and occasional low (but sometimes severe) abdominal pain/distention. I am taking one pill daily on an empty stomach with H2O each morning. I have uncovered a pattern now where if I have not had a BM the day before, the next day will be explosive. Following 4 hours of diarrhea, I get migraine symptoms (courtesy of dehydration... who knows), chills, and back pain. I wonder if anyone has had good luck with halving the dose or taking only a couple of times a week. I would think that the manufacturer has now had enough adverse events reporting that the FDA would require a labeling change. I'm surprised there is no titration recommended based on 'results'. My advice before your doctor pursues a lengthy prior authorization procedure only to have you waste (pardon the pun) money on a drug you don't use is to get samples first to see if you even tolerate the drug."

• IBO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had countless EGDs (an upper GI endoscopy), CTs, MRIs, small bowel studies, gastric emptying studies, food allergy and intolerance studies, and nothing ever helped or was found to be abnormal. I've tried Linzess, Amitiza, IB Guard, FD Guard, and now Trulance. I've also been to about 8 different GI doctors in multiple cities and even reached out to the Mayo Clinic. I've been told I can't be helped and dismissed by several doctors. Linzess caused explosive diarrhea and severe dehydration to where I was admitted, and Amitiza did absolutely nothing. I was prescribed Trulance, which cost over $75 with insurance, and after taking two pills, experienced nonstop horrible cramping and pure liquid stool. I was so dehydrated I passed out at work because nothing would stay in my system. I am now stuck on a low FODMAP, gluten-free, soy-free, minimal sugar, and soft foods just to try and maintain a semi-normal life. I have to take Compazine to not vomit after every meal and Hyoscyamine to make the cramps tolerable."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am on my second package of this RX, and it seems to work pretty well. I drink a Senna tea that I buy on Amazon. I drink the tea before I go to bed and take the Trulance in the morning. Have not had much diarrhea, and between this and the tea, I have been almost normal for a month now. No cramping, no gas, no pain. What has happened now is I have horrible congestion and severe tiredness. Don't want to stop taking it, but I need to see if the Trulance is causing the problem while solving the other."

• Jam...
• August 11, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was on Linzess, using it only from time to time as it caused severe bloating and diarrhea. I was skipping doses and was constipated then. It always required a decision: should I take a pill today or not? For the last 2 months, I have been using Trulance, and it is perfect. I take it in the morning and forget about it. It just works! Smooth and nice. I already forgot what diarrhea is! I feel like my life has changed."

• 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."

• Joy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I heard about this medication from another resident at my mom's nursing home who had recently started taking Trulance, after using another medication that gave her severe diarrhea. My mom has been on Trulance for 3 weeks now, and the results have been excellent. For the first time in over two years, she is having regular bowel movements without any ill side effects."

• luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been constipated my whole life. Several months ago, I started experiencing bowel blockages that ended up causing projectile vomiting, heartburn, and nausea. For years, colonics was on my list of things to do. At my last appointment, my bowels were so blocked, I drank a bottle of magnesium citrate! Wow! Wow! Wow! If your system needs cleaning out, this is exactly what does. As far as the Trulance, for the 2 days I've taken it, my belly looks 8 months pregnant from horrible bloating, gas, and ridiculous diarrhea! For safety purposes, on the 1st night, I wore an overnight adult diaper, only to wake up in a huge feces mess in my bed!!! I feel horrible! Made a call to my gastro's office today."

• Vic...
• July 3, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have always been constipated (lucky if I go once a week) for as long as I remember for different reasons. I finally addressed it with my doctor. I was referred to a gastroenterologist who prescribed Trulance. They gave me some samples while my insurance approved the prescription. I did have a bout with diarrhea after a couple of weeks, but it quickly subsided. After a month of being on the medicine, I'm actually going 2x a day. I'm still not sure how I feel about spending more time in the bathroom, but I'm not bloated anymore. I do experience more gas, but better than feeling like you are about to give birth."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’ve been taking Trulance for about a year. I’ve had chronic constipation for the last 10 years. I’ve had multiple back surgeries, but they did not completely help the nerve pain, so I take anti-inflammatories and amitriptyline to help me sleep at night. The longest I’ve gone without a BM was 6 days. I’ve been taking Trulance for about a year after my insurance wouldn’t cover Linzess. I don’t take it every day because I wouldn’t be able to leave my house. It takes a few hours for it to work and then 4 hours of explosive diarrhea. I have been very depressed lately, and I think it is because of this medication. It’s causing stress in my life. Plus, like some people said, I am tired all the time. I thought it was from the pain meds, but now I’m thinking it’s Trulance. I only take 1 anti-inflammatory twice a day for pain, and I’ve been on it for years, so I don’t think that is causing the tiredness."

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

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Just switched to Trulance 3 weeks ago. First 3 days and nothing changed, and then it magically started working. I was on Linzess for the past 14 months, but I was continuing to have such unbearable diarrhea and abdominal pain. This drug isn't perfect, but pain has subsided considerably and diarrhea is almost nonexistent. Keeping the faith that it continues to do well."

• LBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been on Linzess for years now for my IBS-C. My insurance decided to deny me and make me try Trulance. I'm on day 2, and I've never felt so sick from a medication in my life. The nausea, bloating, and nasty belly pains are so bad today. It's to the point that I'm running to the bathroom and not knowing which end it's coming out of. Dealing with this while working is not easy. Had explosive diarrhea, and now I have the shakes and feel so weak. By the way, nausea is at an all-time high as well. My stool is now pale in color. I'm all set with this drug! No thank you!"