Belbuca and Constipation: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I have been struck with horrible chronic pain from PLDS (Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome). First I was prescribed oxycodone. I hated the side effects: apathy, brain fog, severe constipation, sweats, nausea, headaches. I was miserable. I fired my pain doctor and signed up for a Chronic Pain MAT program. They prescribed Belbuca, and I’m very satisfied with my experience. It helps with pain as well as the oxycodone did, but the apathy and brain fog are pretty much gone. On my correct dose, I have no nausea, headaches, or other icky side effects. I’m free from the endless rollercoaster of pain and withdrawals between doses, and having to make sure I have opiates with me at all times just in case. A word of caution regarding the bad reviews: some of them may not have given the medication enough time to find the right dose for them. For others, it may not work, but for me, Belbuca controls pain and doesn’t make you high - to me, that’s a good thing. I can be a full participant in my life again."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2019

For Chronic Pain "My insurance company just canceled me. Pretty sure it was due to the HUGE cost of this medication. Different pharmacies charge from $900 to $1500 per month. I have NEVER abused any medications. Ever. Yet I am made to feel like some kind of drug addict. I have had multiple surgeries on my knees, shoulders, ankle, back, etc. Metal plates and pins. This drug gives me headaches, constipation, and I can't sleep. I am exhausted all the time. What the government has done to people who need pain medication is abuse. They need to go after the illegal heroin, fentanyl, and whatever else. Leave the people who REALLY do need pain medication alone. Let our doctors do their jobs! This drug is a joke. And yet again the pharmaceutical companies are getting rich off of Americans who have worked their whole lives. I just want to be able to function again. Belbuca is not the answer for my pain. Maybe it works for others."

• Lup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I’m shocked by how many dislike this drug. After 7 years and multiple drug cocktails, this works for me! However, people love Vicodin, and I hate them, so to each their own. I love it, it kills my pain to a 3, and the only side effect for me is constipation. No headaches. So my other medications must be helping as well. I think not everyone works on all drugs, but this one is worth a try!"

• kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I've started on a 150 mg dose of Belbuca. I was so tired, then I seem to adjust to it. Then they just upped me to a 300 mg dose. I'm so tired I could fall asleep at 1 in the afternoon while I'm driving. I'm not saying that it doesn't work for the pain, but who can be this tired all the time? I can't even put a thought in my head. Going to ask the doctor to take me off. I'm going back to the 150 mg until then. PS: also terrible constipation, which I never have a problem with."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I have DDD. Fibromyalgia... chronic pain issues. Pinched nerve in lower back, fusion in neck with nerve damage issues... I am taking Belbuca 300 mcg 2 times a day, and for the first time in years, I have my pain under control with the only side effect being constipation (which can be remedied). I love Belbuca, and yes, I've tried a bunch of other medications.... It works great for me!"

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2024

For Chronic Pain "Was on oxycodone for 15 years for chronic long nerve/pain. Trying Belbuca 150 mcg film. Belbuca works from 6 to almost 12 hours per film. Breakthrough pain can be handled by oxycodone or a crumble or two of the pill (under tongue) form of buprenorphine. Juggling things around until we get it right for me. I am liking the film so far. It does take care of my pain for longer time spans than the oxycodone does. I hope to stay at a low dose level as there are both good and bad side effects. I do not get constipated. Some nausea, which I hope will disappear with time. Does screw up my sleep a bit. I am quite pleased to be at a pain level that works for me. The conversion from oxycodone to this was not that bad. I could not deal with the pain without upping into larger doses of my former pain med. This Belbuca has been good so far. Not perfect, yet very good for pain. There is always a trade-off relief vs side effects. I am only going into month 2. So far...so good."

• Ker...
• August 7, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Have a rare nerve disease in the spine, now the doctor said it’s spreading. Put me on Belbuca, at first, it was hit or miss. Does NOT dissolve, falls off of cheek, doctor won’t change, pain is becoming insane!! Also, now have terrible stomach pains and constipation. Think keep trying, but it doesn’t work!! Doctor says there isn’t anything else, 'cause pills have all eaten up my stomach. But this is worse and doesn’t work!! I’m not an addict, no urge to take this stuff, now the doctor wants to try ketamine infusions. It says stay on the patch that just goes to a gooey substance and doesn’t work!! Waiting to see a specialist surgeon, only 10 in the country that can attempt to untangle nerves, also, a large tarlov cyst is entrapped in the nerves, doctor says incurable."

• Ayo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2024

For Chronic Pain "So I've had chronic pain due primarily to underdiagnosed back issues. Finally got a pain management doctor that actually cares and knows their stuff, as well as a neurosurgeon that listened and scanned the entire spine. I have disc issues almost at every level and various pinched nerves, as I understand it. Been on and off hydrocodone for the past 15 to 20 years since my time in the military. All that said, pain doctor suggested Belbuca...never heard of it before, so why not? About 2 weeks in, 300 mg twice daily. So far, so good. Keeps the worst of the pain at bay. Much better than taking other narcotic pills multiple times daily. Other meds in conjunction are pregabalin and diclofenac. Now waiting to see what surgical options are available to me regarding all the spine issues. Thankfully, my insurance covers the medication at $76 at CVS. Way better than GoodRX being at about $700. So far, the only side effect I've had is minor constipation. But my lactose intolerance is undefeated."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2020

For Chronic Pain "The doctor prescribed Belbuca, and I used it for 2 weeks. It didn't improve my pain, and I had insomnia and constipation. Plus, it wouldn't stay on my cheek."

• Dag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Belbuca was good at first, but as I had to increase the dose, it seemed to stop working. Then it was too sedating and then just not good pain relief. Serious constipation."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2023

For Chronic Pain "Belbuca did not really help with my everyday pain, where I broke my back and had surgery. Belbuca will definitely cause severe constipation, so I don’t recommend it for around-the-clock pain relief."