Eluxadoline and Gas: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have struggled with stomach issues my entire life. I started Viberzi 3 weeks ago, and it has been great. I do have some side effects, though. Constipation and gas lead to some abdominal cramps, but nothing like before. I experience muscle soreness/achiness in the back of my neck and arms about 30 minutes after I take each dose, but it only lasts a short while. Nothing that is really bothersome. Viberzi has given me a life I never had. I can leave my house and travel without any nervousness over being sick, and I also have been able to be more productive at work. I am so excited to have found something to help me live a normal life."

• Noi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have been dealing with severe IBS-D since I was a teenager. I have been taking Viberzi for a couple of years now, and it has been a life changer. I now can go out to eat and then not have to go straight home afterwards. I can go on hikes with my kids and actually go places where a bathroom doesn't have to be in sight. I still have attacks from time to time, and it hasn't completely protected me from all of my trigger foods, but when I have attacks, the pain and urgency isn't nearly as severe. My quality of life is so much better with this drug. The only side effect I experienced was some terrible gas pains when I first started taking Viberzi. After a few days, those went away permanently. The only complaint I have is the high cost."

• trs...
• March 19, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have struggled with IBS-D for 16 years. I've been on every medication available, including antidepressants, Bentyl, loperamide, Lotronex, cholestyramine, and many others. The Viberzi seems to control the diarrhea, but I am experiencing debilitating gas, especially in the mornings, but it lasts throughout the day. It's not just inconvenient, it's painful and uncontrollable. I want this medicine to be the one! I just don't know how to combat the gas. I am also having abdominal pain but will stay the course to see if these subside."

• Jua...
• June 29, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have IBS-D. I've tried different drugs, Xifaxan included, but nothing helps me too much. During the first month of taking Viberzi 100 mg, my symptoms changed dramatically (in a good way). I started being able to eat different foods, including some of the ones that I used to avoid (chocolate, burgers, etc.). I just felt bloated and had more gas. But I have to say that after the first month, the effect is declining, and now (3rd month) it is helping a little. So, better than in the past, but not as helpful as it was at the beginning. Does anyone feel the same about the declining effect?"

• mcg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have had IBS-D for 20 years, but controlled with Imodium and Bentyl. Three years ago, it was uncontrollable. Could not leave the house. Stool cultures, colonoscopy, blood work, x-rays, and scans due to pain all negative. Imodium didn't work. Doctor termed it as unspecified colitis and IBS-D. Now taking Lomotil, hyoscyamine, Donnatal, and cholestyramine. This makes life bearable. Tried Xifaxin and it did nothing. Now got the 100 mg Viberzi 2x daily. Took one pill with food yesterday morning. Within 15 minutes, my legs turned to rubber, heart was racing, cold sweat, and difficulty breathing. The heart racing and breathing went away within half an hour, but the rubber legs lasted about five hours. Severe abdominal pain, gas, metal taste till last night. No more."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I gave Viberzi a 5 because yes, it did work. My diarrhea did slow down, and on most days, it stopped completely. My cost with the copay card was only $30, so that’s not bad either. My side effects were really bad though. Increased need to urinate all day and night. I ended up with a bladder infection. I also had night sweats and severe abdominal pain and gas. I would say it’s worth it to try it. Not everyone has the same side effects."

• Got...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Dealt with IBS-D for over 40 years. Imodium helped but still had anxiety about going anywhere. Started taking Viberzi about 6 weeks ago. Having very good results...except for fatigue and major gas, I could resurrect the Hindenburg! Finally got Blue Cross to pay for it, really expensive. After reading some of these reviews, I am hoping that I am one of the lucky ones and it continues to work. I have a life again!!!!!"

• Min...
• July 25, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Took this drug 4 days, on the 4th day, I became ill. Pain in the abdominal area felt like I was having a heart attack or severe indigestion. The pain was terrible for an hour. Took a tramadol to ease the pain. Entire body felt weak and achy. After a few hours, I was able to get out of bed and continue my day, but felt like I had been run over by a truck. I do not have a gallbladder, and the bowel movements, while not watery, while on Viberzi, were scant, and I had terrible gas and gas pains. Off the med today. IBS-D is back. The watery bile in BMs is back. I'll take that over the bad pains and feeling bad."

• Min...
• July 25, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Took this drug 4 days, on the 4th day, I became ill. Pain in the abdominal area felt like I was having a heart attack or severe indigestion. The pain was terrible for an hour. Took a tramadol to ease the pain. Entire body felt weak and achy. After a few hours, I was able to get out of bed and continue my day, but felt like I had been run over by a truck. I do not have a gallbladder, and the bowel movements, while not watery, while on Viberzi, were scant, and I had terrible gas and gas pains. Off the med today. IBS-D is back. The watery bile in BMs is back. I'll take that over the bad pains and feeling bad."

• Kat...
• August 18, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Some background of drugs/supplements I have been on, and what works and doesn't work for me. Bentyl - useless, Librax - useless, Lomotil works but does not prevent diarrhea. Zoloft helps anxiety associated with IBS but not diarrhea. Kava helps anxiety associated with IBS. Kratom helps IBS tremendously but is expensive. I have only been on Viberzi for 3 weeks. It has been a lifesaver. Pretty much down to 1 BM a day. Helps with pain, which Lomotil did not. I still have gas. Do NOT drink with alcohol. I had 1 drink, and I felt like I was going to die. You can't take it while you're pregnant because not enough studies have been done. I had to wait 3 days for insurance to approve it, but I'm glad I have it. No generic available."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "After having my gallbladder removed 2 years ago, I have been battling IBS-D. I have been on Welchol for about 2 years, and it's okay, not great, but okay. I was taking 1 a day, but I think it needs to be upped to 2. My doctor gave me Viberzi to try, I put it off for a while, then finally took it. Days 1-2 were great. Days 3-4 went downhill fast. By day 5, I was staying within 5 feet of the bathroom. I didn't realize one of the side effects was dizziness (since I have vertigo, I figured my allergies were acting up), weakness, and major gas. I had to stop taking it so I could actually go to work. I think I'll buy stock in Imodium. I am very disappointed this didn't work, so many people worse off than I am did well on it. It's so frustrating."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I had to take Imodium daily in order to fend off diarrhea and the constant bathroom breaks. It has impacted every aspect of my life. I was afraid to eat when a bathroom wasn't readily available. As I grew older, the condition became worse. I would eat and have to go immediately. A normal day out with the wife and kids stopping for lunch would create a great deal of anxiety. Should I eat, can I eat, and would I make it to a bathroom on time? My working career took into account how accessible bathroom facilities were. Viberzi worked to end diarrhea and has limited my bathroom calls. However, I get extremely tired 15 minutes after taking the dosage and remain so all day. Dry mouth and gas are also a problem. The price cost is $18 a pill."

• Wil...
• December 8, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This drug has worked tremendously for me. I take it 2x a day with food, and it has almost ended my rushing to the bathroom. I can go about my life without always knowing where the bathroom is. It has some bloating and gas side effects, but it cut my IBS-D down to shreds. I used to go 8-10 times a day, and now I have a much more normal schedule. Cannot praise this drug enough!"

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Viberzi has done wonders for me! The gross details: I was in the bathroom several times a day and every time after eating. Not only that, but I’ve come close to having accidents many times. Now I can have a meal with no issues. I can even drink milk and coffee again. The only downsides are that after I take it, I feel “off” for about 30 minutes. Dizzy, tired. Secondly, I have the worst gas I’ve ever had in my life, and it’s relentless. No over-the-counter or home remedy has worked for that yet. :("

• Jka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Started Viberzi a week or so ago. Got painfully gassy and constipated. So went down to one 100 mg tablet daily. Felt kind of better but was still having IBS symptoms. Started the second dose yesterday. Tonight I got so sick: painful cramps, diarrhea, light vomiting, terribly painful all around. It lasted hours. I almost went to the hospital, which isn’t like me at all. Needless to say, I won’t be taking another dose. Trying an interstim device on my sacrum next. I’ve got to get my life back. I hope others have a much better experience, but for me, I’d rather live on Imodium and try other less perilous solutions."

• CCN...
• July 27, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have been on Viberzi for 4 full days now. So far, the drug has been just OK for me. The first 2 days I had zero BMs, but I was gassy, and the 3rd day I went 4 times in an hour, my normal bad morning. The 4th day I felt great all day, no BM though. This morning, day 5, I have had multiple bowel movements before taking my morning dose. It seems for me that my evening dose does not last me well into the morning, and I may just have to move the time I take it from 7 or 8 pm to later in the day. Right now my results are really mixed. I'm not fixed at all, but over the course of 5 days, I've had more bearable days than I used to. Hoping continued use is better."

• TNa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This medicine made things so much worse for me. I tried it for over two months, and it never stopped IBS. It actually worked opposite and made my diarrhea and gas five times worse. I’m going back to Lotrenox. At least it worked a little."