Viberzi and Constipation: What Users Say

• Ibs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have had IBS-D for 15 years. This drug Viberzi really did work for me, I found the dosage to be too high and cause constipation. I was prescribed 100/2x a day. I started taking 100 once in the morning after BM, and that worked well. I didn’t have side effects, but I was worried about possible complications due to drinking. I read on a website somewhere that Imodium also works as a daily medicine for IBS-D. I started taking 1 Imodium every day instead of Viberzi, and that has worked just as well as the Viberzi and costs less. Apparently, they both work on the opioid receptors in the gut. So I’ve been taking 1 Imodium/day instead of Viberzi, and it’s working great. Viberzi changed my life and made it so I can actually go out and do stuff in the morning, and now I take Imodium and it does exactly the same thing for me, only much cheaper and easier to get as it's over the counter. Good luck, everyone."

• Tif...
• April 9, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have battled stomach issues for 9 years now (I'm only 26). No doctor has found the problem in the past. I've tried many different medications, every diet known, and still received no relief. I was in the bathroom with diarrhea 10+ times a day, and that was on a 'good' day. My doctor prescribed Viberzi 2x a day. I took my first pill in the morning, and by the evening my diarrhea had completely gone away. However, I do have side effects: gas and bloating, the feeling of being loopy, dry mouth, loss of appetite, and now constipation. I'm trying some stool softener to see if it'll help, but I'm going to keep experimenting until I find something that works. It's been extremely nice not having to run to the bathroom 10 times a day though!"

• 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."

• J19...
• December 14, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have been taking Viberzi 100 mg for about 4 months. I do not have a gallbladder, and almost 2 years ago, I had a bowel blockage. I have had diarrhea at least 4 times a week, with high anxiety for traveling. At first, I took this medicine for 2 weeks, 100 mg twice a day, and didn't have a bowel movement for 4 days, so I went off of it for a few days, then tried again, same result and very bad stomach pain. With problems continuing, I found many reviews being too constipating, so I started taking 1 pill every morning with food. Since I adjusted the dose, over 2 months ago, it has worked great. I now have a regular bowel movement almost every day, sometimes twice a day! I have had diarrhea twice in the last 2 months, this has helped me get back to living and work. It helped me!"

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I've only been dealing with IBS-D symptoms (I've had GI issues my entire life) since about April of 2018. Things became really disabling at the end/beginning of 2018/2019 and became pretty much disabling by the spring of 2019. My doctor and I tried all the conservative approaches first, even though I was having pretty severe issues. In June of 2019, I started taking Viberzi, and while it wasn't INSTANTLY a life changer, it became one. I took the 75 mg every 12 hours as instructed but found that I became extremely constipated. I played around with the timing of it and eventually settled on taking one 75 mg tab every morning. This regimen has done absolute wonders for me and my life. I'm thankfully no longer feeling the need to look into disability at the ripe old age of 25. I occasionally have some issues, but I just take a Bentyl or two, and I'm fine. If you have IBS-D issues and you've tried conservative therapies that haven't worked, I HIGHLY recommend giving Viberzi a try."

• Anonymous
• August 30, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have been suffering with IBS-D for as long as I can remember, afraid of when it would happen. The longest period I went without an attack was when I was pregnant. It finally got so bad that it went from an attack every few days to every time a morsel of food or drink (even water) would pass my lips. I wouldn't eat until I got home for the day and was becoming in danger of being underweight and malnourished. I was so tired of being sick. Finally, I went to the doctor and was prescribed Viberzi 100 mg x 2 a day. It worked! But too well, and the constipation happened. Same thing with 75 mg x 2 a day. I have finally found my body's sweet spot with it. One 75 mg tablet every other day or every couple of days unless I know I might eat something triggering that day. I always have my Lomotil on standby just in case I need the extra help, but this med has been a lifesaver. My only complaint is the opioid feeling I get on occasion after taking it. But that eventually goes away after several minutes."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This Viberzi has been a miracle drug for me. I take one 75 mg with my first meal of the day, and I have not experienced any IBS “attacks.” I have been taking it for 2 months. My only side effect has been mild constipation. I was having horrible pain and diarrhea and could not find any trigger foods. It seemed just food in general would bring on an attack. This medicine has been a lifesaver. I no longer have to run to a bathroom."

• All...
• April 12, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I've been on this med for about a month now. I don't think I've gone this long without an attack since I was pregnant. My IBS-D went away with both pregnancies, weird I know. This drug has been amazing. The only side effect I have is constipation (I take a stool softener right now because I keep forgetting to buy fiber pills) and nausea if I don't take it with food (directions tell you to, so that's on me). Give it a try! Remember, a lot of insurance companies won't cover it yet because it's new, but they have a savings plan you can sign up for. Take advantage of it!"

• Rac...
• August 26, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Viberzi has seriously changed my life! I have struggled with IBS pretty much my whole life. In high school, I took 2 Imodium every day. After having 2 kids, 13.5 months apart, I started having even more issues. Fast forward to 1.5 years later. Many days, I would have to stop eating to use the restroom. Since starting the medicine, I’ve become more on the constipated side, going several times a day but not severely urgent like it was. I can actually go an hour or 2 after eating before going to the restroom, and it’s not diarrhea. The only reason I give an 8/10 is because of how hard it’s made the stool. Like rabbit poops almost every time I go. I’m on 75 mg twice a day, and I plan to call my GI doctor tomorrow to discuss decreasing the dose a little, either by splitting the tablet or taking it once a day. Side note: my doctor expressed the importance of having my gallbladder while taking this medicine and would not allow anyone to take it if they do not have their gallbladder."

• GA ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Was constipated most of the 2 weeks I was on it. One night, all of the sudden I had horrible cramping under my rib cage and a pain that went all the way up my spine. The pain was so horrendous I was crawling on the floor, crying in pain, screaming in a pillow as to not wake my children. I would scream at times and nothing would come out. I had tears and mucus coming down my face. I literally thought I was in hell. I have NEVER experienced pain like this in my life. I have birthed 2 children and lived with Ulcerative Colitis/IBD for 15 years. I know what pain is. I wound up going to the ER and reporting this to my GI doctor. So much for this 'miracle pill.' I was so hoping this was going to work."

• PR1...
• September 8, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "First taking this drug, I was skeptical because the reviews were not assuring, but I tried it anyway because I had nowhere else to turn with the discomfort of IBS. I have been taking this medication for 3 months, and it has done wonders. The worst part for me was starting the medication, which gave stomach cramping and fatigue, though it only lasted a couple of days during the second month. I experienced constipation, which was very new to me, so I followed up with the doctor. He insisted I take it only once a day instead of twice, and I have had complete relief of the constipation in as little as three days. I do not have a gallbladder, and this medication works for me."

• MLB...
• January 16, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I've been taking this medication for two months now. At first, I was taking the full dose, but I never had a BM, so I lowered it to 75 mg once a day. I haven't had an IBS-D attack since I've taken it. I still have my A flare-ups sometimes, but it's really been a lifesaver. The downside is that my BMs have now gone to every fourth day, and when I do go, it's in very small amounts, is painful, and I usually end up having to skip a few days of Viberzi to get it all out. The medicine definitely works. For me, it works too well. I'm going to do a follow-up with my doctor. I don't want to give up this medicine, but I don't think it's healthy to be constipated all the time, either."

• Mra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have been on Viberzi 75 mg for about 6 months now. I have seen my diarrhea decrease dramatically. I also no longer suffer from the upper abdominal pain that used to trouble me almost daily. As with some others here, I have noticed a kind of sleepy, muscle ache feeling about an hour after each dose and a tendency to constipation, which I counteract by using fiber supplements. Overall, this has made my life much better and allowed me to eat foods I could not eat before. My insurance has covered the costs."

• KBF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This medicine has been a life-changer for me. I've tried absolutely everything, and this is the only thing that controls loose stools and diarrhea without making me constipated. It has honestly been a miracle, especially because I work and travel a lot, and that was always so stressful - I wouldn't eat for long periods of time because I was so scared of an accident. I would give it a ten, but it's expensive; luckily there are savings programs you can find - and that's well worth it - or it's over 1,000 a month, and I am not sure how anyone could afford that!"

• Lef...
• October 10, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "The Viberzi stopped my IBS diarrhea immediately. However, it sent me into immediate severe constipation. As soon as I started taking it, I started having constant heart fluttering, cramping near my right armpit, and having daily skipped heartbeats. As soon as I went off of it, all the fluttering, cramping, skipped heartbeats, and constipation stopped."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have had IBS-D for the last 30 years. It has controlled every aspect of my life. Extreme diarrhea and horrible stomach cramps daily. Started Viberzi about a month ago, it's like a miracle drug. I have had some constipation, and when I take the pill, I feel like I'm a little drunk. I also had a weird feeling the two times I had alcohol. About an hour after I finished a drink, I was unable to swallow. It was like the muscles in my throat quit working. It went away, but really freaked me out."

• che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Though the drug stopped the issue of me going to the bathroom 8 times a day, the negative or side effect is that it gave me constipation, and I would bleed each time I wiped. For this, I stopped using the drug, and I was only taking 75 mg a day."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I've had IBS-D for a little over a year after taking antibiotics for a sore throat. Went to a colon doc and even had a colonoscopy, everything checked out okay. I've been using Imodium without much success, so my PCP RX'd 75mg Viberzi 2X a day. The first few days it worked somewhat, I had solid stool followed by a little soft. After a few days, I went back to diarrhea. I even tried to increase my dosage by taking 1.5 pills twice a day. Absolutely no difference. My doc said treating IBS is by trial and error, so I'm curious to see what she will have me try next. What is so unbelievable to me is the cost of this drug. Narcotic pain pills, which Viberzi mimics the side effect of constipation, are pennies compared to the outrageous charge for this drug!"

• Src...
• November 10, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Today is day 20 of me taking 75 mg twice a day. It worked really well up until today. I'm not sure if I have a stomach bug or if my symptoms are back. I fortunately did not experience any of the awful symptoms other people have had. No abdominal pain or cramping. Only one normal BM a day now, and there were only two days I didn't go and was a little constipated, but resolved the next day. My doctor only prescribed this for 21 days. This is the first IBS medicine I have used. I hope I am just having an off day and this medicine is still working!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This medicine has changed my life. I let IBS run my life for 3 years without doing anything about it. Nothing else was working. It took a few months to get the dosage right (it does severely constipate you). I only need half a pill every other day. I am pain-free!!!!"

• ImB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 7, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Keep in mind this medicine is an opiate and a C4 controlled substance. Also, I take 100 mg 2x a day. My insurance didn't want to cover it, and it's costly: $1200.00 for 60 pills a month, which is just ridiculous. However, my doctor's office called them to get prior authorization, and if your doctor is willing, they should be able to get some or all of it covered, it's their job to call the insurance to get it covered. If they say they will give you samples until it's covered, then go to the office and pick them up! You shouldn't have to wait on them to call you back if they already agreed to give you samples. Drink plenty of water as well, this medicine can and will cause constipation if you don't drink water and eat healthy, and back off the medication if you're constipated."

• 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."

• Con...
• February 21, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Viberzi has been a miracle worker for my wife (taking it for about a year). Like others have stated, two pills a day resulted in constipation, but 1/day resolved her diarrhea and gave her the confidence to take a trip of over 30 minutes without worrying about having to make an emergency stop or have an 'accident.' It has always been crazy expensive, but with manufacturer discount cards provided by the doctors' office and insurance, it was down to a very manageable $30/refill. Evidently, there has been a price increase since the first of the year. The 'retail' cost has jumped from $1300 to over $4000. With insurance and the discount card, it's now just over $1300, which we can't afford. So she's back to living with the constant threat of not being able to find a bathroom fast enough."

• Dre...
• February 14, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I was put on this medication for IBS, and it stopped the diarrhea but gave me constipation, which I fixed by reducing from 2 pills a day to 1 pill a day, but was only on it for a week. The reason I stopped taking it is that shortly after I took the pill, it would give me bad anxiety, with my heart racing, and I would feel high and weird. I would never go back on it, even if it was free, because the side effects were horrible."

• Dog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I started on Viberzi 100 mg for IBS-D, it worked a little too well, and I got constipated. I cut back to 1/2 a tablet one time a day with dinner. That was my sweet spot. Fast forward 4 months, I noticed I needed a little more to get the same effects. I began taking a full tablet with dinner each day. Now, 8 months since starting, my stomach is going backwards again. I've tried the 2x a day with no luck. I was so happy with this med. It gave me my life back for a while, and I didn't call out of work as often. Overall, this med works but not in the long term, which is heartbreaking. I'll add I do have my gallbladder, and I didn't have any side effects during the time I was taking it."