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Donnatal User Reviews & Ratings

Donnatal has an average rating of 9.7 out of 10 from a total of 52 reviews on Drugs.com. 100% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 0% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Donnatal

  • Mac...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 19, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had severe stomach cramps most of my life. Liquid Donnatal would ease my pain within minutes. Now it is so expensive I can't afford it. I just hope whoever made the price this high has severe stomach pain and cannot get anything to stop their pain. This is a shame and disgrace to the makers of Donnatal and the FDA."

10 / 10
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110 Report
  • Sad...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 20, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have esophageal spasms and bowel spasms and have taken Donnatal for over 30 years, and now I cannot get it because it is not FDA-approved. Please get this back on the approved FDA-approved listing. Why change something that works? I see this is a very high-rated drug that works. If it is not broken, don't fix it, as the old saying goes. People need and deserve a quality of life."

10 / 10
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84 Report
  • coo...
  • December 26, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I can't say enough how Donnatal gave me my life back. The pain experienced from IBS symptoms was debilitating and sent me home from many functions. It is a drug that you eventually need so infrequently, but when you need it, it's a lifesaver. Maybe we will all have to start going to the Emergency Room with the pain and spasms to let the deciders see that one simple Donnatal pill that usually works within 15-20 minutes could save much money. I'd also like the deciders to get a dose of IBS. FDA, please approve and bring back Donnatal."

10 / 10
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64 Report
  • Alb...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 17, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had colon problems since grade school all the way through college. Back then, my condition was called spastic colon, then functional bowel syndrome, now IBS. Regardless, when an episode happens, it is very painful. For many years, my doctors prescribed Donnatal, and it was to me a 'miracle drug.' I am now 75 years old, and the IBS has come back to haunt me. I asked my present physician to prescribe it as a treatment because it had done wonders in the past. He told me the drug was no longer made and off the market. I did online research and found that, indeed, Donnatal is still available, but you must be a millionaire to afford it. I checked with my insurance and drug provider and discovered a 3-month supply was $1,528! As it turned out, some Canadian company bought the manufacturing rights and is gouging those afflicted with this disease and in need of the medication. Shame and disgraceful!"

10 / 10
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53 Report
  • Kay...
  • January 6, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Just wanted to let people know that my doctor just prescribed Donnatal to me, so I'm not sure why anyone else is having a hard time getting it? I didn't ask for it, I didn't even know about it. I've had what they like to call IBS since I was a child, and I am 32 now. The spasms are terrible. The thing with my IBS is I constantly have blood in my poop and lots of mucus. Many colonoscopies, x-rays, allergy testing, every testing you could possibly think of, but the colonoscopy says no evidence of Crohn's, but the IBD blood test was positive? So here I sit knowing that the doctors really don't know what is going on, they just threw me into an IBS group, and they're trying every drug in the book. Crossing my fingers that this one helps. Very nervous to take it, though. I'm going to take it before I go to bed because it says it makes you very tired. But I did just want people to know my doctor just prescribed it to me, and today is January 5th, 2020."

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  • IBS...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 7, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I am a 45-year-old male who has suffered from IBS since my teens. Nothing has been successful until I went to Italy and learned about Donnatal. When I returned to the States, I asked my Dr. about Donnatal, and he said it was an old medicine, which he hasn't prescribed in years. He gave me a prescription, and my pains and loose bowel movements have stopped. I have been taking this medicine for 3 months, and now I can function normally. Now I have my life back. I reported this to my Dr., who was surprised and has started to prescribe it again with some great feedback. I find the liquid Donnatal works best. I can even drink coffee again."

10 / 10
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98 Report
  • ser...
  • July 12, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My GI doctor has tried half a dozen different drugs for my IBS and none could seem to do the trick. I pretty much gave up all hope until during my yearly physical my PCP (who has been practicing for 35 years) mentioned I tried a much older drug called Donnatal. He told me it was an old drug but proven effective time and time again. I filled the script and immediately started taking it. I noticed improvement almost immediately and have been taking it regularly for 3 months now with no complaints. Donnatal is my miracle."

10 / 10
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98 Report
  • Nat...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 17, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Prescribed Donnatal Elixir in 1953 after many unsuccessful stomach tests. A wonderful miracle drug! Saw huge jugs of the liquid on pharmacy shelves at that time... they were selling Donnatal Elixir way back then by the pint bottles. I lost many hours of secretarial work due to severe stomach cramps where I was unable to sit, stand, or lie down. I like the liquid Donnatal because only a small sip gives me relief; thus, my prescription bottle lasts many months, sometimes more than a year... and never ages... effective to the last drop. So I was beyond shock when I recently tried to renew Donnatal. My pharmacy didn't carry it; their warehouse didn't either. I found another pharmacy.... $500 for a quart! And my insurance won't pay a cent. After keeping my lifesaver, trusted medicine on standby these many years (I'm 88 years old), reasonably priced through pharmacies... only the rich can now afford it. Why?"

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • ehh...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 5, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have used Donnatal for over 2 years, mainly for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It works every single time I have a flare-up, like nothing else I have ever taken. Hands down, the best medication in my opinion. No side effects, reduces sweating, but that also helps me since I tend to sweat a lot. It also has helped me with anxiety as well as during weaning from opiate medications. GREAT MEDICINE. Only con is that not all pharmacies carry it anymore."

10 / 10
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73 Report
  • Cos...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 27, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Prescribed for me in ER when I was there for nausea and vertigo from Irritable Bowel Syndrome...probably the ONLY medicine I ever took that worked immediately and did just what it advertised...truly effective medicine!"

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • Suz...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 26, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was diagnosed in the 1970s with irritable bowel syndrome. I think they called it something else back then, spastic colon? But I would double over in pain and muscle spasms in my stomach, it was horrible. They gave me several different medications that didn't work, and I ended up with some very strong wind that would just knock me out. I finally got on Donnatal, and it was the only thing that worked, and once I got it under control, I didn't need it for a long time. I went four years sometimes without having to use it, but when it would clear up, it was great to have it. I don't think you can buy it anymore, or if you can, it's extremely expensive. If you can get it, it's the best thing in the world to take. I know they used to use it in the hospital emergency rooms and called it the GI cocktail. Not sure if they're still doing it anymore, don't know what happened and why they made it so hard to get."

10 / 10
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34 Report
  • Ren...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 15, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "One of the BEST medicines ever for IBS. I suffered C. diff for a long time and the aftermath led me to have severe stomach muscle spasms, they would knock me off my feet. I tried every medicine you can think of, the only medicine that compared to helping is Librax, but it didn't work as good as Donnatal, however, it's extremely expensive. For a 30-day supply, it is $285. But when in so much pain, you do what you have to. Hope the best for everyone reading this."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • Ste...
  • November 27, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I'm 35 and one of the first memories I have is me at about four, reeling in pain from IBS-D. I have often thought about just taking the easy way out due to the constant agony. Then one day, an amazing gastro suggested Donnatal, and within about three hours of taking it, I was pain-free. This stuff is a life changer for me, at least."

10 / 10
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56 Report
  • val...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 16, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Doctor gave me samples of Donnatal, and it was great, except it is not on the market or extremely prohibitively expensive and not covered. Pharmacist friend researched and recommended Phenohytro, which is the same formula. Much less expensive but not covered, and my Dr. wrote me a prescription. Great."

8 / 10
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26 Report
  • har...
  • February 13, 2010

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have bowel adhesions, and they cause debilitating IBS. I was first given Donnatal Elixir in an ER for horrible intestinal cramps. This stuff soothes, works quickly, and it stops the cramps. I recommend it to anyone I know who has IBS. The drowsy side effect helps me to sleep, and when I wake up, I feel better. Definitely ask your doctor about this one if you suffer from intestinal issues!"

10 / 10
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67 Report
  • Van...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 1, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had very good results from Donnatal for IBS. I got nearly complete relief from cramping with one or two tablets. I had difficulty finding a physician willing to prescribe it due to the phenobarbital ingredient. I had a bottle of 30 tabs last 2 years, so obviously I didn't abuse it."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Rub...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 20, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in my late 30s, along with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD. I was examined by a specialist, he is the one who diagnosed me after many years of medication that didn’t work, or the side effects were more debilitating in some cases. I have not had any flare-ups in years until just recently. I’m now 56. My doctor asked me what works best for me in the past. I told him Donnatal was very effective, he stated we don’t prescribe that anymore. Instead, I was given a medication that didn’t work, and the side effects were worse than I had anticipated. Why am I not being heard? I don’t care if it’s an old medication, it’s very effective for me, as I rarely need it. I don’t see any problem with prescribing it. I also have anxiety, it’s also effective for that and stomach pain with nausea with one medication instead of three. Has anyone else been getting medication that didn’t work? Why?"

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 13, 2009

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I take Donnatal with Reglan 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. It helps with the intestinal and stomach cramps! Plus, it also helps with the diarrhea. It is a miracle drug, and I am glad I asked my doctor about it, plus, the phenobarbital in Donnatal helps my anxiety!"

10 / 10
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64 Report
  • 23...
  • February 25, 2010

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Before I took this, I was suffering from constipation and diarrhea. The drug helps settle my stomach, I take it twice a day. The pills are very small and disintegrate fast with liquid, which makes them extremely easy to swallow. I used to dread using the bathroom before I started taking this drug. Now, I don't even think twice about it, and my stress level has decreased dramatically."

9 / 10
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63 Report
  • Smi...
  • August 29, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had IBS for 30 years now. My PCP recently wrote me a script for Donnatal Elixir. Unfortunately, my prescription insurance is denying me this medication stating, 'Non-Essential Medication...Rejected, Not Covered.' I want to know when my prescription insurance company received their medical degree and at what time have they ever examined me and/or read through my complex medical conditions/history. To add insult to injury, I also have Common Variable Immune Deficiency, which is known to cause major G/I complications, including infections and intestinal inflammation/pain. I plan to appeal the denial for the Donnatal Elixir. Also, the intestinal cramping I suffer renders me paralyzed with pain, unable to sit or walk."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • tex...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 29, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After a laparotomy at 22, I was given Donnatal, and it worked great. If I didn't have it, my stomach and intestines hurt so bad I couldn't stand up straight. I'm 68 now, and for the last 9 years or so, I've been unable to get it from a doctor, and I get tired of hearing the doctor say that it's an old medicine. It's the only thing that helps me. My doctor there tells me how old Donnatal is and doesn't give it to me. I get very upset being at the mercy of any doctor. I'm in pain as I write this, and the more I hurt, the more upset I get, which makes everything hurt more. Not only does my doctor refuse to give me Donnatal, but she also doesn't give me anything else. She even had the nerve to say that I didn't mention that I have IBS. I certainly did, and that's when she told me that Donnatal was an old medicine."

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29 Report
  • Ded...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 5, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This is the best thing since sliced bread (don't mean to really say this, but...) Went off of it due to the price being so high. The replacement prescription did not work at all. After two months of problems again, I gave up and called in for the pills. Lifesaver, worked immediately, now I am happy again. Can go out, live normally. Took eight years off hell with IBS and other gastrointestinal problems until my doctor gave me this as a last resort, thank goodness he did. I went through many, many addictive medicines and such, very happy I found this."

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Mja...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 21, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've been taking Donnatal for years. It worked great. I called the FDA about this medication, they told me that the people who made it needed to file paperwork to keep it on the market, but they never filed it with the FDA, and now it's off the market. I'm hoping another company will make it instead because I never had a side effect with this medication, like other kinds. I have IBS too, it sucks the pain. I want my Donnatal back."

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23 Report
  • giz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 15, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have ulcerative colitis and have been in a flare for almost a year. Was just hospitalized for a week and now am on a prednisone taper. Donnatal helps SO much in stopping the ulcerative colitis spasms, but my insurance is denying it due to the high cost. My insurance is also denying Entyvio. I assume that BlueCross/BlueShield and Medicare have decided not to let old people have the drugs that help them the most. Most drug companies have policies in place to help patients pay if they are unable to afford the high costs; BUT...if you have Medicare, Tricare, or other insurance, they won't help either. So...I guess it's just a 'we don't care about the old people' new world thinking. Best of luck, all."

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22 Report
  • nor...
  • March 3, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have used Donnatal for years for irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea. It is a miracle medicine. I stop it when it stops working. I could not have worked or gone out of the house without it. However, I have high liver levels and wonder if the Donnatal caused this. I stopped it when I went on Savella for fibromyalgia. The Savella also helps my IBS. Not on anything now, on FMLA at present. Will have to go on something if I return to work."

10 / 10
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41 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.