Lubiprostone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Bun...
• June 23, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "In the first week I took Amitiza, I thought it was going to be a miracle answer to my chronic constipation. But I had a side effect of severe headaches almost every day... and sometimes all day long. Since I already have migraines, I blamed it on them getting worse... even though the symptoms were different. First, the headache would start, and within 5-10 minutes, a gush of uncontrollable diarrhea. I kept blaming it all on migraines and seeking treatment for them. Finally, because of the expense of this one medication and having to take so many more, I had to stop taking Amitiza. Within just a few days, the headaches with diarrhea stopped. This is an excellent product if you don't have the side effects."

• Atl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I started taking Amitiza 8 mcg twice a day about a year ago. At first, I didn't notice anything. I have really bad bloating issues due to slow motility in my large intestines. He then increased my dosage to 24 mcg twice a day, and that's when my bloating decreased. I'm able to eat foods I couldn't eat before. It does give me diarrhea badly at times, but it doesn't bother me. I would give it a 10, but I still feel like there is something in my low intestines. Like it's not completely moving everything out of me. If I don't take it for a few days, I do notice the bloating get worse. I definitely feel a whole lot better taking it than if I don't."

• Cos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2012

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "If you suffer with occasional constipation like me and you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, then this is a great medication. It is very safe with very little side effects that most women will already go through, like headaches, random nausea, and dizziness. I take this medication 2-3 pills twice a day, and I feel so much better being on this medication. It isn't normal to go a day or two or three or even a week, like what used to happen to me, without having a bowel movement. This medication will help you release all that waste you need to. It works great for me. IBS is not a fun condition, but I guess it's just for all of us lucky people to struggle with and experiment trial and error. Give Amitiza a try, it really works. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• February 21, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I have seen some of the comments on here about mood changes and how their doctors said that is not a side effect. WRONG. If you have a specific mood disorder, I highly suggest avoiding the drug to avoid a crisis. Here are a few of the extreme side effects this drug can have: 'Serious side effects of Amitiza: Severe diarrhea; swelling of arms and/or legs; changes in mental health; mood changes.' I wanted to start the medication because I take 80 mg of Oxycodone and 30 mg XR of morphine a day, and I cannot go at all without assistance. Laxatives do not work anymore, and the pain and hassle of enemas and suppositories are getting to be the worst. I am still unsure about what to do."

• Dt1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I'm a 25-year-old woman who has struggled with IBS-C for about 5 years now. I started off taking Linzess, but it was too strong and I would just have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes for hours. So my doctor put me on the 8 mg dose of Amitiza, and my life has changed for the better. It still takes me an hour to go to the bathroom in the morning, but I'm not waiting to go anymore. The medication works. I take it before bed and 2 hours before I wake up to give it a chance to work in my body and then drink a glass or 2 of water to kickstart it when I get up. And I don't have to worry about constipation anymore. I've been on it for 4 months, and I love Amitiza."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I took Amitiza as prescribed (24 mg x 1) for constipation, which was a result of my medications for chronic depression and anxiety, as well as the addition of gabapentin for nerve pain. Aside from the bloating, cramps, and diarrhea, after about three days I relapsed into severe depression, even though I had been in remission for over 15 years. Not realizing my body was reacting to the Amitiza, I remained on it for about 10 days. I strongly caution anyone who is on medication for anxiety and/or depression to consider an alternative to Amitiza. Even after 3 weeks off of Amitiza, I am still struggling with the side effects of depression."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been on Amitiza for about a year, and while it works, it doesn't work as well as I'd like it to. I tried the 24 mcg dose at first, but it was way too strong, it definitely makes you run to the bathroom all day. I then switched to the 8 mcg capsules twice a day. If I take them on an empty stomach, I get really nauseated, so I usually take them with a meal. I still had to use Miralax and fiber along with the Amitiza to ensure I stayed regular. Sometimes, with all of this, I still got constipated, so I would take a 24 mcg dosage and deal with the aftermath. When I did have a BM with Amitiza, it wasn't a 'complete' one. It would make me poop out water, but it felt like the bulk of the stool was still left inside. I stopped taking it."

• Aut...
• December 17, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started taking Amitiza when I was around 16-17. I was on it for about 2 years. I had tried a lot of drugs before my pediatric doctor finally landed on this one. My family and I were hesitant to try it because of how expensive it was, but we felt like we were out of options. It was the first med that actually worked other than stimulant laxatives. I remained on the highest dose of Amitiza during my time on it. I had no side effects. I eventually stopped taking it because the medicine began to stop working. It was basically a gradual decline of efficiency near the end. I don't regret taking it even though it stopped working. I switched to Linzess and it's working just as well. If Linzess stops working, my plan is to switch back to Amitiza and see if it'll work again. If you're considering trying Amitiza, I would. Just make sure you try it on your day off if you're worried about side effects."

• Qua...
• January 6, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "45-year-old female with a diagnosis of chronic constipation due to long-term use of meds, to include opioids for pain management. Also, diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome around 8 years ago. When I'm taking this medicine, usually 2-3 times per day, I'm regular with a bowel movement of one to two times a day, depending on my diet and food intake (I eat very little on most days). Whenever I'm not taking this medication, I'm lucky if I'm able to go once over a 3-4 day time frame, even with laxatives, stool softeners, and my daily dose of lactulose syrup. I took Zelnorm about 8 years ago, until it went off the market, but Amitiza works much better. I asked my doctor to prescribe it after seeing a commercial for it. I've done well with it, only side effect: flatulence."

• Irm...
• September 14, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "For over twenty years, I've had issues with my stomach. Mainly constipation in spite of drinking plenty of water and a high-fiber diet. I've relied on eating five servings of fruits and three veggies a day and, of course, lots of liquids. I've been seen by lots of specialists until recently I was prescribed Amitiza 8 mg. I tried it for two weeks, then tried the 24 mg as instructed by my doctor and found that the lower dose works better. I'm able to defecate at least once a day now, but I have experienced headache, nausea, and slight dizziness. Overall, I do recommend it."

• Ang...
• May 16, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been using Amitiza for a week. You need to take this literally with food. If you have eaten, let's say, an hour before, do not take it. It will cause you severe, painful stomach-type nausea. I feel after taking this. It causes me some type of stomach cramps. Not severely painful that will cause you to curl up in a fetal position, but uncomfortable enough that you know it's there, the weird feeling in your stomach area. I have called my doctor to see if it's even worth one more week to try despite the side effects. I have not seen any improvement in my bowel movement."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I absolutely love this medication! The trick I have found is to take it right before bed, then you can avoid the upset stomach and nausea. I know it says to take with food, but I have been on this for over a year, and it has been working great for me."

• coa...
• May 11, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "55 yr old female, chronic constipation my whole life. I have tried everything, OTC to Linzess, which did nothing. I am thin, exercise, high fiber, flax, Metamucil, probiotic, and nothing. I go 4-5 days, then take 3 Dulcolax, magnesium citrate, and pray. Now that doesn't work. Colonoscopy ruled out anything 'serious.' Prescribed 24 mcg Amitiza. Ate breakfast, took the pill, and within an hour, I was SO SICK. I had explosive diarrhea, felt faint, nauseous, cold chills, and sweating. Laying on my bathroom floor, going back and forth to the toilet, thought I would throw up too. But I went! I did not take it again because of the side effects. Doc gave me 8 mcg. I'm scared to take it. It's awful that I would even think of taking it again just to go to the bathroom."

• Ms...
• September 19, 2011

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been chronically constipated since I was 5 (I'm in my early 20s now). I always went to doctors, who kept saying over and over, 'fiber and water.' Prune juice and normal laxatives (not stimulant laxatives) would have little to no effect on me. Amitiza makes me feel normal, and for the first time I can ever remember, I don't dread when I have to do a bowel movement. It's painless! I've solved this taboo problem that I have suffered with for my entire life! It's a great feeling to have relief now. I do get nausea and a headache if I take it without a moderate-sized meal. I also get cramps and explosive diarrhea if I take it and then eat a lot of dairy, like a milkshake (I'm not lactose intolerant though). Despite this, I love this medicine!"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Well, I started this medicine on Monday, and it's Thursday, and I am extremely sick. My stomach is killing me. I sit on the toilet because I feel like I am going to go to the bathroom, but nothing ever comes out. I have severe abdominal cramping and cold chills that make it even worse. My chest feels tight, and I am so uncomfortable and grouchy because of the pain. This is awful. I would not recommend it because I was so excited about being able to go to the bathroom and be normal, but this has not worked. I am not taking any more of this medication when it is supposed to help with chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS, and it's made it worse! So upset I could scream..."

• Kek...
• September 23, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "In the beginning, I was very skeptical about taking this medicine because most of the reviews I read were negative. Now, I honestly love it. The first week was a little rough due to the shortness of breath as well as the gasiness. Then I realized almost every medicine has some type of side effect until your body gets used to it after a few days or so. By the second week, I was fine. Before taking Amitiza, I only had bowel movements every 4 or 5 days, and sometimes it would take a week, and I also had pains in my abdomen. But now I am going regularly, and I feel much better about it. The only negative I have is that my insurance won't cover Amitiza."

• Tum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Oh my, no, no, no! Avoid this. I took one 24 mg pill with food. 30 mins later, I felt lightheaded and drenched in sweat. Vomited all over the floor. Couldn’t even make it to the bathroom, and more vomit hit. Then the horrible, loose stool started. So loose you can’t get off the toilet or you’ll have a mess. Finally took a Zofran to ease the vomiting. I feel so much worse. Not worth it! Avoid this med. I feel like death."

• mil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2019

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "Amitiza has helped me tremendously with my gastro issues. My cost is pretty high, even with insurance, which makes it very difficult every month to refill, but I faithfully take it as prescribed; Amitiza, for me, is a LIFESAVER!!"

• IBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have tried Amitiza, and yes, it worked and got me to use the bathroom, but didn't do very much for my stomach pain. I did get some relief just from going. I also had to take way over the recommended dose to get anything significant."

• Tee...
• November 17, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have had problems with IBS for several years. I was on Amitiza, and one of my physicians took me off it. I was off for 5 years, started having severe problems with my IBS again. My new doctor, a GI doctor, put me back on it, and it is a Godsend. I am back to regular again. I give this medicine a 10. I have no side effects, and I love it. Thank you."

• Ret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Have suffered from chronic constipation for many years. 'Specialists' may label it 'idiopathic,' which sounds technical, but really means 'I don't know why, either, so just take this pill, or this other pill,' etc. (So why not do more research, instead of just prescribing different pills????) Was prescribed low-dose Amitiza, and the side effects were absolutely awful!!!! Spent the night in the bathroom! Incredible pain, cramps, bloating, nausea all night! And no BM! Eventually had a very painful BM at 4:00 A.M., which left me with an inflamed, painful, distended GI system. My doctor says that I should 'try Amitiza AGAIN'??? Really?! This is insane and unacceptable; and hopefully, in spite of this terrible experience, I think I am still sane! Will keep looking for something that does not include torture as a side effect! God bless!"

• PAT...
• May 2, 2008

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I just began taking Amitiza and had immediate results. I've struggled with this condition all of my life. No side effects except I feel a bit tired. If that's all I have to deal with, that's fine with me. The alternative is much worse."

• Eve...
• August 15, 2009

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic back pain for years, taking pain pills and was always constipated. I was miserable. My doctor prescribed Amitiza, and I have had excellent results. No more straining and trying one laxative after another. Absolutely no side effects. What a great medicine!"

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "For the past 2 years, I've been struggling with constipation since going through chemo. I finally got referred to see a gastroenterologist. He put me on a low dose: 8 mg twice a day, and I can say for me personally, I feel like a normal person again!! This is the best medication, no side effects so far other than having to go to the bathroom a few times a day. I've tried drinking more water, having more fiber, other laxatives, and even Linzess, which was a no after the first pill. Not having the bloat feeling and feeling like you have to struggle to go to the bathroom is the worst."

• cbn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Amitiza works pretty well. I do still have to take Milk of Magnesia and mineral oil to feel completely emptied out. The severe nausea and headaches are very bothersome, and sometimes they are worse than others. The side effects do go away once you have a bowel movement."