Amitiza and Nausea: What Users Say

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome-constipation and have tried everything out there. They either didn't work or had ridiculous side effects that outnumbered the advantages. Amitiza is the best medicine I have ever taken. I have very severe constipation and take 24mcg 2x/daily. I went from no bowel motions to going once every other day on average. Advice...take it with food. The only side effect I have is crazy nausea and a horrid headache if I take it on an empty stomach. Also, it is very expensive and can have a hefty co-pay. Amitiza has a website where you will get a free card to cover your co-pay. I went from $25 out of pocket to $0!"

• Mye...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am a 25-year-old female. I have been constipated since I was a baby, and nobody knew why. I always had to strain to go to the bathroom. As a matter of fact, I had to mentally prepare. I had to focus on my breathing to try to cope with the pain and fear of going to the bathroom. Sometimes it would take me 2 hours for nothing. I have used Amitiza for 18 months now, and if they ever took it away, I would start a riot. I go to the bathroom about 4 times a week. No pain, no strain, and it's soft and not hard. My stomach is so much flatter. I can see I actually have a shape. I lost 10 pounds of waste in the first 2 weeks. I feel lighter and happier. Going to the bathroom is a breeze. Sometimes I get nausea. But the cons are light compared to the pros."

• SPa...
• May 9, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "After reading all of these negative reviews, I decided I need to give my 2 cents in. I have suffered with constipation and stomach aches my entire life, and recently it went from bad to worse, and I finally told my doctor that I needed to do something. He originally prescribed Linzess, but my insurance would only cover that after trying Amitiza. I have been taking Amitiza as a laxative for a week, and it is a miracle, it works so well! I take two MCG pills a day. I have found 1 at night after dinner and 1 in the morning after breakfast works great. I am having normal and complete movements for the first time in years (usually I have diarrhea from taking laxatives or rocks)... it was never normal or complete. I do get a little nauseated sometimes after I take Amitiza, but it does not compare to the nausea I get from other laxatives I have tried or being backed up. I have been drinking mint tea, and it really helps. This drug is a miracle."

• Ash...
• March 1, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've had IBS-C for at least 2 years. In the last year, it has become increasingly worse, which resulted in me being diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction. Like most of you, I could barely go... nothing seemed to help: Miralax, Phillips, etc. I was resorting to using enemas a few times a week just to get some relief. Because of this, I was feeling tired all the time, moody, and having horrible headaches. It left me feeling awful. I recently started this medicine, and it has been a godsend. I went from never being able to go on my own to at least once a day. I take it with food and water. I read the reviews on here beforehand, so I made sure to follow what others said. The first day I took it, I felt a little nauseous, but haven't since."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I recently started Amitiza at the 24mcg dose twice a day for terrible constipation not resolved with tons of water, veggies, fruits, flax, chia, bottles of Miralax, or Linzess. I have taken it for 4.5 days with NO results at all. How long is this supposed to take to work? I have the side effects of nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, hot flashes then so cold I shiver, body aches like I am coming down with the flu, joint pain. And believe me, I would put up with all of this if I could just go! But nothing is happening. I even increased my fluid intake to 3L per day, which is ridiculous. Does anyone have suggestions out there?"

• Ash...
• December 9, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had opioid-related constipation for approximately the last 6 months. I had tried Colace, Miralax, apricots, prunes - anything I knew of that might help. I eventually ended up using enemas every few days to make sure that I went to the bathroom because it was starting to cause me terrible stomach pains. I have only been on Amitiza for a little over a week, and it has only helped me go to the bathroom one time, and it really wasn't like a complete BM. After taking it, I have a severe headache and nausea. Is this just a phase at the beginning of taking this medication? I don't know, but I can't deal with this being sick constantly. All I want to do is be in bed because moving around makes me feel like I'm going to projectile vomit. I know this might not be a problem for everyone, but for me... this medicine is not helping but only making things worse."

• Rel...
• July 2, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I absolutely love this medicine. I was so constipated that all I did was sleep. I was miserably 'full' with bowel movements maybe once every 1 to 2 weeks. Nothing else worked for me. Slight nausea sometimes (which is nothing). My energy level is restored. I thank God for giving man the knowledge to make this medicine."

• Act...
• February 14, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was in the hospital for a week in January with colitis. I was prescribed Amitiza when I was released, 2 capsules per day of 240 mcg. I started taking the medication, and after 3 days I was having very loose bowel movements 4 or 5 times a day. I had also been told to go on the Mediterranean diet. I only had nausea the first couple of days. I finally learned to take the medication only once a day and did so for a week. I started skipping the medication for 1 day and then 2 days. I started having regular bowel movements every morning, so (with the doctor's approval) I only take the medicine as needed. If you follow the directions VERY CAREFULLY, some of the symptoms will go away. I am a 79-year-old extremely active man."

• Blo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome-C and chronic constipation after a C-section. I now take Amitiza 24mcg 2x per day. I've been on it for about 10 months. It works fantastic. I can 'go' at least once a day now. Amitiza draws fluid from your body to increase bowel movement (I can actually hear it working) so it is important to drink a lot of water and eat before or immediately after. I've noticed that if I don't drink a lot of water, nausea will develop. In addition, IBS-C has caused me to change my diet and exercise. That helped a lot too. NOTE-- If the prescription costs a lot, even with insurance, Amitiza offers a discount card online."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am 55 and have been living with IBS-C for the last 10 years. My doctor started me on Amitiza a week ago. I am on 24 mcg twice daily. I took my initial dose at the beginning of a meal. It caused pretty severe nausea, but really cleaned me out with 4 or 5 small BMs ranging from normal to explosive diarrhea. I have taken each subsequent dose in the middle of a meal and have had the most normal bowel pattern that I have had in years. No more nausea, reflux, cramping, or gas. This medication is allowing me to have several small BMs daily, as opposed to using laxatives, which is miserable. I hope it continues to work! I'm using samples from my doctor right now. Not sure if insurance is going to cover it."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "As a survivor of very severe anorexia, I had renal failure and am now not able to produce the correct mucus or 'lubrication' in my intestines. This causes bowel movements to be infrequent and painful. Amitiza is a godsend. Works just like it should. Was on 16 mcg twice a day but was just put on 24 mcg twice a day with 40mg Zegrid. Not sure which one is causing nausea, but Amitiza never did it before. Has made bowel movements much easier."

• ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I tried everything. EVERYTHING. Finally, something that works for me, but it took a few days to kick in-probably because I was so constipated. After that, I've had a great experience. Regular for the first time in over 40 years! I would give this a 10 except it does give me a tiny bit of nausea, especially in the morning. It is pretty minor compared to the pain and bloating of chronic constipation. No bloating! The major drawback is the cost and the fact that insurance is so picky about covering it...and will only do so for a limited amount of time."

• LMS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation my entire life. Now at 23, after exhausting all over-the-counter and homeopathic remedies to no avail, I've decided to try a prescription. Overall, it works great and I don't plan to get off of it. What I have now is more like diarrhea than anything, but I'll take that over going up to 20 days without a bowel motion any day! I do get nausea about 30 minutes after I take it, and it gives me bad gas sometimes, but none of that is worth getting off of it. If you are serious about to give up on life because of constipation, this medicine is for you! I recommend it. I do also take Metamucil about every other morning, which helps the diarrhea. Also, the website for this product offers a $35 off prescription card."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After being diagnosed with POTS syndrome about two and a half years ago, I developed awful constipation. Like a lot of others said on here, I tried everything! For a while, Miralax twice daily worked, but slowly it stopped. I've tried Citrucel, Metamucil, Milk of Mag, Colace, high fiber diets, and nothing would help. I ended up going to the emergency room after not going for seventeen days, and even an enema did barely anything. I was first put on a low dose of Linzess, but got awful bloating, pains, and diarrhea. Then I got put on the lowest dose of Amitiza and only take it one time daily. It did wonders, and I am one who is incredibly sensitive with meds. I take one before bed with yogurt, which helps soothe any possible nausea."

• AMM...
• June 5, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on Amitiza for nearly 8 years. I take three tablets, 24 mcg, daily; however, I only take it at bedtime. If I, for some reason, have to take it during the day because I missed my bedtime dose, I get very nauseous, gag, and diarrhea. I strongly suggest taking this medicine when you are ready to sleep. The other problem is that I need three tablets daily, and it is extremely expensive."

• AMM...
• June 5, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on Amitiza for nearly 8 years. I take three tablets, 24 mcg, daily; however, I only take it at bedtime. If I, for some reason, have to take it during the day because I missed my bedtime dose, I get very nauseous, gag, and diarrhea. I strongly suggest taking this medicine when you are ready to sleep. The other problem is that I need three tablets daily, and it is extremely expensive."

• Ami...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "This medication is great! A few years back, I had IBS with diarrhea, but it has since changed to IBS-C. It was so bad. I was always in stomach pain, always felt full, just felt terrible and super backed up. I'm a nurse, so I tried all the non-pharmacological remedies for constipation. So after reading all of the reviews, I made a GI appointment. Thank God I knew about Amitiza because my doctor tried to send me out the door with some pamphlets! Amitiza is a lifesaver. Just don't forget to take with meals so you don't feel nauseous."

• T4a...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Amitiza is GREAT! My constipation began 11 years ago at the age of 20, which caused me to deal with very bad fissures. I hated going to the bathroom. I would be in the bathroom for literally an hour to an hour and a half, mentally trying to prepare myself for what would occur. I began taking laxatives every other day just to get some relief, but yet I still had unhealed fissures. When I finally was prescribed Amitiza, I was scared to go to the bathroom as I mentally had to prepare myself, and to my surprise, it didn't hurt and I felt normal. I wanted to cry. I wasn't in pain. I still tend to feel slight nausea for a little while, though I eat with the meds and drink plenty of fluids, but I will take that over constipation and pain."

• Mim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 1, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used this drug for chronic constipation for years with good results, stopping after I retired and didn't seem to need it anymore. More recently, I have needed it, and it still works for the most part. You do need to drink a full glass of water with it, per instructions, though a 'glass' can be as little as 6 or 8 ounces. If you don't take it with a meal, take it with a big spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter, or you will likely have nausea. That is the one side effect I have noticed, but I like peanut/almond butter anyway, so it's not a problem. I'm sad that my insurance is going to make me 'try' Linzess now instead of Amitiza; I'm a bit leery of that product after reading the reviews."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2008

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I noticed in the previous reviews that nausea and headache are a problem. I had those too when I first started using Amitiza, but I have learned that you MUST take it with a FULL meal and drink lots of water, and both side effects won't happen. I love the results!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am 21 years old, and I have struggled with chronic idiopathic constipation my entire life. I was prescribed 24 mcg of Amitiza and took it for a year and a half. Overall, I had a positive experience with it, and I recommend it to other people. The first two weeks I was on it, I experienced some intense nausea, but that subsided after my body adjusted. Just make sure you take it with a full meal. I also suggest making sure you are consuming enough water throughout the day. Amitiza worked very well for me in the beginning, but throughout my time, I needed to ensure I was drinking enough water in order for it to work properly. The only reason I am switching to Linzess is that my insurance no longer covers Amitiza. Hope my experience helps someone out there!"

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

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I am a recovering heroin addict and have been taking Suboxone in low-medium amounts to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as I was not able to stay clean on my own due to underlying depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and others. I have been clean for over 3 years and have had crippling constipation since on the Suboxone. My doctor prescribed me Amitiza, but told me to only take it as needed. I did experience nausea and stomach cramps at first, but now do okay with it, and have had much better bowel movements."

• Owe...
• May 30, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Incredible experience. I started having chronic constipation shortly after joining the military. I had intense constipation all the time and was completely dependent on laxatives. After one year, I had a colonoscopy to see what the problem was, but there was nothing. I've met with a dietitian, made a food log, tried tons of fiber, and supplements, but nothing worked. After one more year, Miralax stopped working, and I was prescribed Amitiza. Amitiza immediately made me regular, I've only taken four pills total, after three weeks, and I've been the most regular ever in two years. Only fault is it makes me nauseous for a couple of hours. I wish I had this years ago!"

• sas...
• October 31, 2016

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "My doctor has me on an opioid for severe spinal pain, which has caused severe constipation! So he prescribed Amitiza, 24 mcg 2 times a day. Well, now I am not sure I will continue taking it. When I first began taking Amitiza, it worked great, so my doctor wrote up a script for it. Well, now it hardly works at all! Constipation is nearly a daily situation for me and a painful one at that. I am miserable and frustrated! It has also messed up my appetite, I can barely eat food, and when I do, it makes me nauseated, and my tummy hurts as well. I am sick to my stomach if I eat and if I don't eat. I feel sick from an overload of toxin build-up (maybe I am imagining that a bit)! It is pretty messed up when you fear eating and fear not eating!?"

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2010

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have had a pain in my left lower abdomen for a month and a half now. I finally went to the doctor yesterday, and he told me it sounds like IBS. I have a GI appointment just to make sure. He gave me Amitiza to try until then. I was weary to try Amitiza because so many reviews talked of bad side effects. I ate a very full meal and took it last night. This morning, I had no pain for the first time in a month and a half. I felt it some during the day, but nothing like it has been. Definitely a miracle drug! I had little side effects, some nausea and a bit of feeling 'not all there.' But that was just a short time, and it all went away. I can definitely handle the side effects when it works so well. I hope this review helps."