My doctor has given me a three dose sample pack of MOVANTIK and when do you recommend taking your daily dose, i.e. morning or bedtime? Also how soon should you expect your first bowel movement?
Thank you for any assistance provided.
Question posted by Anonymous on 29 April 2015
Last updated on 25 April 2025 (6 days ago) by BrandiRae1993
My doctor has given me a three dose sample pack of MOVANTIK and when do you recommend taking your daily dose, i.e. morning or bedtime? Also how soon should you expect your first bowel movement?
Thank you for any assistance provided.
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Whenever I take Movantik it’s usually 30min to an hour before I literally feel like I’m going to die! I cramp so bad and sweat all over like crazy.. and today my heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to die on the commode for sure! I go weeks without a BM and I tried to get a colonoscopy a few years ago but never could poop! Even after drinking all the lights nasty stuff, I could take a whole sheet of laxatives and never once go! So I ended up starting to use magnesium which in my opinion works better for me than anything else and doesn’t feel like I’m going into labor. After canceling 3 colonoscopies the day of because I couldn’t poop, my Dr. had them send me something in the mail where I do it myself and send it back, which I was finally able to do.
but here it is 3-4 years later and I really need a colonoscopy, I told them the deal I went through before and they told me to take movantik and after I’ve had a consistent BM for 2 weeks call and make an appointment…. Well it’s probably beeen a little over a month and I have been putting off taking the Movantik because of how brutal it is! So I took one earlier, and it will probably be the last one I ever take! If I can’t do it with magnesium or they can’t prescribe something where I don’t feel like I’m dying then I don’t know what I will do! Don’t get me wrong the Movantik works , and fast… but to me I can’t take the pain, sweating , fast heartbeat , and just feeling like literal Crap
Well, I believe for everyone it will differ. After a month on it I had to get mine increased and then I finally had a bowel movement. I do not have one every day. I have one every other day, whereas before I will go a week or more without having one, so this has been a lifesaver for me.
Last month I had emergency surgery because I was impacted and my intestines herniated And twisted. They took over a foot of my bowel out. I have been on pain meds for 5 years. I can go 2 weeks w/o a movement. Well I hadn't gone in 2 weeks and i. The hospital I went.
My doctor prescribed Movantic. I was afraid to take it but now if I don't go every other day I freak out I will end up in hospital.
I took my first dose this AM. 45 minutes later..I had BM. My stomach feels a bit like its burning and gas but I have had worse with a laxative.
I don't know what's in Movantic but it works. I will not take every day if it works this fast. I can't do my job.
How does this work so much better ten a laxative??
Just got 2 sample packs (2x3pills, 6pills). So far:
DAY 1: Used Mag Cit (3x10oz) to clear everything out before using Movantik
DAY 2: Took at 7am, 2 hours before eating: stomach rumbled like it was awake, which it NEVER does, but no movement.
DAY 3: SAME THING --> Took at 7am, 2 hours before eating: stomach rumbled like it was awake, but STILL no movement.
NOTE: Hoping it takes a couple of days to kick in. I understand this is NOT a laxative but an Opiod Mu-Receptor Antagonist (which is a complicated way of saying it should STOP the OPIODS from slowing things down). If it "works", it's STILL up to your metabolism to help get things going, so I suppose moving around, walking should help.
I'm gonna stick with it, exercised some today. Tomorrow morning will be 3rd morning with Movantik. Will post an update if Movantik is EFFECTIVE. Good luck all. ;-)
I just got my sample packs as well and I'm going to wait until the morning before venturing into the unknown. I've had a cervical fusion and a lumbar fusion and I take oxy 15's daily and just like someone else said, I can literally go weeks without going on my own. I'm so over this ... good luck to everyone
Movantik is a very tricky drug to use but I do believe with some careful practice you can use it and it will work properly. I went through everything everybody on here has mentioned including going through some Wicked withdrawal today. However that is my fault for taking a whole pill at about 4 in the morning 3 hours before I woke up. I got the pill to work by using it about twice a week. Don't even attempt to use this drug daily. It will completely ruin you and your pain medication will never work again. You need to cut the medication in half no matter what milligram you are on and take it around 2 in the morning. You will have a bowel movement in the morning no pain and no withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes when I cut it in half I don't necessarily have a bowel movement that morning I just take a half the next night and it works. But let me State again do not take this medication any later than 4 or 5 in the morning if you wake up by 7.
It will take you until about 12 in the afternoon the next day to recover. If you have to set your alarm to take the medication at 2 a.m. then do so. I was stupid last night and took an entire pill at 4 in the morning and here it is 11 a.m. and I am still suffering.
Movantik full results will show after about one week. The reason why it takes a week to notice it fully is that the already constipatied stool will not be effected by the movantik. Therefore it usually takes about a week to clear that out following the stool that has not been hardened from taking the movantik blocking the oic side effect. Once all the bowels of the harden stool have been released you should notice regular movement. It's normal to feel uncomfortable in the beginning because oic will back a person up therefore it's not fun when it comes out! Though after the initial backed up stool is gone the uncomfortable feelings go away. It's something you have to go through in order to clean out your bowels whether it be movantik or anyother medicine that works at fixing constipation for you. So the answer is about 1 week to notice movantik to take effect. Hope this helps
I, too, was given the Movantik 3 tab starter pack. I took the first one this morning at 4:00am. By 4:40am I had produced a bm. Fairly bad cramping both before, and after. Approximately 30 minutes later, I went again, also preceeded and followed by terrible belly pain and a lot of sweating. My situation is complicated by the fact that in addition to the OIC, I have Endometriosis and severe adhesions all throughout my abdominal cavity, so these two issues could be large contributors to my intense belly pain. I'm going to try my very best to give this med at least a week, to level off and not be so painful. If this does not work, the only other alternative I think left would be to stop the pain medication. That alone is terror inducing. 10 years × fentanyl. Hoping this med works, though because after all those years, it seems like my gut is beginning to die, or weaken, because suddenly my immune system is starting to tank. Getting infections from simple scratch, etc.
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There are several responses in regard to the original question.
Hi, I know that I am kinda coming into this conversation late But I was prescribed movantik, and I took it first thing in the morning and about 30 to 60 min later I was in the bathroom. It works really fast for me and really well.
Took my 1st pill this am barely made it to bathroom within 20 minutes.my doctor had me do cit mag and clear liquids 3 days before starting pill Still can't believe how much I went. I hope it stops soon have to go to a meeting this afternoon
Idk why your doc had you clear your bowels before using movantik for the first time, but maybe it will help keep you regular. I'm sure after the cleanse, the movantik worked quickly.
I take it each morning upon walking up and eat within 15 minutes of taking it. If I wait the whole hour, I end up with a migraine that lasts all day and abdominal pains. With my routine, I go within 20 minutes of taking it, but have days that I don't go at all. I've found that if I don't go to the bathroom within a few minutes of the rumbling beginning, I won't go that day.
Good luck to you!
How long after taking movantik does it usually start working
I've had OIC for years due to being on Buprenorphine. I've been taking a lot of fiber supplements, laxitives, and stool softeners over the last year, but I still on average only have a "movement" about twice a week. When I do, it's the size of a football and hard as a rock (even with stool softeners) Feels like I'm giving birth out my ass. Sorry, but it does! I finally talked to my doctor about this, and he gave me a 3 sample pack of Movantik 25mg, along with a 3 month Rx. I was worried I would experience the side effects it listed.. withdrawals & stomach cramps, but after 2 days now of taking it, I haven't had any Ill effects at all. The only problem is.. I haven't yet had a movement. I didn't think this was a drug that would have to build up in my system. I had my last movement this past Friday morning (48 hours ago), so maybe that's why. I was hoping Movantik would allow me to go everyday, but I'm still waiting.
I'm reading other people's posts about it making them go within minutes of taking it and all their side effects, so I guess I'm the minority. Has anyone else out there had my reaction to Movantik, (or the lack thereof)?
I've been on meds for my back for the last 12 years. Ive had problems going to the bathroom since. I would go for weeks without going n feel like I'm going to die n if I did I'd be like John Wayne n pass away with so much undigested food in my stomach... but anyways. I had gastric sleeve surgery last year n have lost over 100 pounds n now I'm miserable not being able to use the bathroom. I take fiber n miralax..but still the only way I go is if I take a handful of laxatives n stool softeners n then I get so sick... I will vomit n then have to stay close to a bathroom all day... n it's gets to the point where it's just colored water... after telling my Dr this she has prescribed me movantik 25mg. I started taking this yesterday n took it first thing in the morning..an hr b4 eating... n still nothing. So 2 doses n no relief.
I have taken it for 2 days and cramps but not much action. Was taking 45 mls of Lactulose. That helped a bit. I look like I'm 9 mos pregnant. Been building up on OIC for years now. I look absurd - skinny everywhere and big round poop filled belly...
I have taking Movantik 25 for a week and no movement so I took Linzess which work every morning but with explosive diarrhea. Now I am trying again with 59 mg and as of the third day nothing was going to take Linzess but decided after reading the post to wait a couple of more days. I have noticed that while eating tonight I started feeling sick to my stomach so maybe its getting ready to work.
I have been on movantik about 3 weeks. I take it every morning and have had no luck. I have previously been on linzess and murilax and still nothing. I do experience the cramps and pains but nothing else. Sorry it could be more serious. Getting worried the problem is a lot worse. Anybody else with the same problems???
HI anonymous. It took me at least 3-5 days before it got in my system enough to start producing reaults. It must be taken in the morning only, 1 hour bedore any food or drink. However, I had horrible abdominal cramps and a headache everyday. I did have to add a stool softener such as colace everyday to my regimine because I too was having to push hard which was increasing my pain.
I have been on this a few weeks now. My doctor told me to take it at night, when I don’t have to go out for hours and every other day until we see if it helps me. He said that I shouldn't go out after taking, until we know how it affects me. It doesn't take long before my stomach is rumbling and I get a great deal of gas. I usually go within a couple of hours and at times have to run to make it. I'm on the 25mg dose because of extreme problems with going to the bathroom, due to my opioid medications. Prior to this medication there were times when I wouldn't have a bowel movement for 5 or 6 days, even with Colace or other laxatives. I would hurt so bad that I would have to use an enema for relief, and even that could take a few hours. I have been having results with the Movantik that are helping to me. I am going to continue taking the medication. Thank you
I am sure you found out your answer by now, but in regards to other first time people taking the pill for the first time, I wanted to tell my experience , in case others had the same as mine. First, a little history - I had been on everything since my constipation was so bad. The best combination that I was previously on was 1 pill of Linzess 290 plus a non-stimulant stool softener each night. Usually I would go "hopefully" first thing the next morning, but sometimes I would still go days without going.
I was just started on MOVANTIK this past week . The dr. gave me the 3 dose sample pack of 25 mg as well. I was told to take it one hour before the first meal of the day or 2 hrs after the first meal of the day if I forgot. Well, I took it an hr. before and within 15 mins. my stomach and abdominal area starting rumbling and became uncomfortable. In the next half hour, I was in the bathroom 3 times. Let's say it definitely worked aggressively!!! But I had abdominal pain and nausea after that lasted a couple hours, I decided to wait to see if the next day would be any different, but it did the same thing.
Anyone else have the same reaction? Sorry if it was TMI! I was thinking of asking to try the 12mg to see if was less painful , but worked the same? Thank you in advance for any experiences.
I have the same experience you've had if I use any laxative during waking hours. That's why I take them on a fairly full stomach, never an empty one, and close to bedtime. If I feel nauseous or have abdominal pain while sleeping I don't know about it. I primarily take stool softeners and fiber powder that dissolves in water but never on an empty stomach. These I can take during the daytime. I've tried Linzess & another med but they didn't help. I use Dulcolax only for occasional times when I haven't gone in a few days. I hope Movantik works for you.
aloha Annmarie49, i was just browsing the internet to find answers and see if anyone else had the same horror effect as I did and I saw yours. I have been suffering from opioid constipation for several years as well and its from being on pain meds daily for a back injury as well. my Dr had given me sample packs 25mg and was told to take one dose a day starting in thhe morning. I did as instructed and about 30 min later, i felt like i was gonna die!!! I thought by taken it around the same time as my pain meds it did something. But it looks like that it has different effects on different people. I was fine, talkin and texting my son then BAM suddenly i had to use the toilet! Then my whole body felt like it was on fire! I started perspiring then my stomach started cramping bad bad badly! A twisting feeling. Then i started to feel nauseuos.
I tthought my husband would have to take me to the hospital it was so horrible! I also immediately went #2 about 5 times and at ffirst it was hard then became watery! it went on for about 3 hours, i fell asleep in a fetal position and then woke up 2 hours later. I felt 80% better and then an hour later i felt normal once again (thank God) Although i feel sooooo relieved to have been able to go as much as I did in one day, I do not wanna go through that pain again! I thought maybe of cutting the pill in half tomorrow, butt im so afraid of the pain. Have you tried again a second time? if so, was it as bad as the first? do you knw of anything else that i can take that wont be so painful to take? Sorry for the long story and all the details. Thank you and I hope you feel better although your post was a couple of months ago.
I posted a response to you, but addressed it to Annmarie49 my apologies.
OH EM GEE! I wouldnt have a BM for 2 weeks sometimes more. I was so miserable.It was so bad that without my knowledge feces was leaking out.I didn't put 2 & 2 together I thought I had a bowel disorder... SMH..When I finally figured out what was happening I asked my Dr for Movantik. ... it worked like a charm without issues other then slight withdrawal symptoms. .
2nd time I took it I was doubled over in pain for what seemed hrs.Very painful but getting results... I have just now taken for the 3rd time..I'm curious to see what happens. I sure hope it's not as painful as b4..Good lord I was doubled over in bed holding my stomach.If I wasn't getting results I probably would have gone to the ER..I just don't like the feeling of the withdrawal symptoms, well who would dumb thing for me to say... I feel tired now... I will see how it goes,but hands down this works better then anything I've tried..
I even drank that citrus stuff I was desperate. ..NOTHING HAPPENED
Movantik is a god send so far...
I am very surprised and sorry to hear how serious your condition is, Linzess is quite powerful for me, if I take even the smallest doses, can't leave the house for the day. I'm very surprised Movantic works well for you, all it does is give me tremendous amounts of gas.
I would take it in the afternoon or evening and expect a movement in the morning. Which morning is very dependent on you and when you last went and how "backed up" you are and how well you respond to the drug.
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