Lubiprostone and Headaches: 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Lov...
• May 31, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been taking 8mcg Amitiza twice a day, for two months, to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Finally! A Dr. who actually listened to me and provided a solution instead of blaming me for the GI/bowel problems. (i.e., 'You need more fiber,' 'It's your nerves,' or 'It's caused by the NSAIDS you take.'). Almost 40 years of daily chronic painful bloating, constipation & pain under my left rib cage is almost gone, (I'm 50.) It did take a few weeks to adjust to it. By that, I mean: 1.) Discovering that taking Fiber Supplements with the prescription caused painful gas/bloating, 2.) Determining exactly how much food/drink to ingest with each dose, to avoid gas/bloating or a headache & 3.) Remembering to take it with a meal. I'd give it a 10 if there was 0 bloating and no headaches."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2009

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had very severe chronic constipation for over two years that has just seemed to get worse and worse over time. I've tried Amitiza on a few occasions over the last couple of years, and each time has been an awful experience. It works, but it takes about 3 days, and those 3 days are unbearable. Horrible gas and bloating, headaches, cramps, nausea, not to mention the pain in my back and sides from the severe bloating. I gave a friend some of my samples, and it worked wonders for her, she had none of those side effects. Everyone is different, it's always worth a try."

• Mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was taking Linzess with total success. Then insurance wanted me to try Amitiza. Then I became twice as constipated and had extreme fatigue, abdominal cramps that felt like labor pains, headaches, and severe dehydration, and my movements went from 3 to 4 days to 5 to 7 days. I became toxic. I will never take that Amitiza again. I swear it is nothing more than a placebo. Bad stuff. I now have to reschedule my colonoscopy because of a blockage that could have been prevented. My life and health are a joke to Fidelis insurance."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2017

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "My gastroenterologist prescribed Amitiza to help with constipation caused by a medication I am taking. I took one capsule (24 mcg) daily for five days, then began taking two (48 mcg) daily (too big a dose?). The medication worked wonderfully to help relieve the constipation, but the side effects I am experiencing may cause me to stop taking it. I am having headaches, runny nose, fatigue, overall 'bad' feeling, muscle pain, chills, nausea, and a sensation of almost passing out. I consider these side effects pretty drastic. It's possible they will go away or minimize if I continue to take the capsules, but I'm not sure I'm willing to risk it."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2012

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started taking Amitiza a month ago. I am on the 24 mg. It works sometimes, but I am experiencing side effects that I didn't think resulted from this medication until I read some of the reviews. I have trouble taking in breaths, coughing, severe headaches, nausea, but most of all, bloating and gas. Before the medication, while being constipated, I could still button up my pants. Now that I've started the medicine, it's a struggle due to bloating."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2008

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "A person has to decide if it is worth the less serious side effects of nausea and headache, and I have to say that it is. It is brief and, therefore, I feel that the alternative is much worse. It has only been a full week, and I am hoping these less serious side effects will subside eventually when I get used to taking it on a regular basis."

• aer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2012

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on this for about a week. First few days, was amazed. Before this medicine, I would do enemas every week or so due to pain, etc. The day after I took this medicine, I went three times, once after every meal. Wow! Same for the next few days. Side effects: majorly tired, headaches that develop into migraines by the end of the day, weird feeling in chest and throat, breathing funny (like a bad cold), and VERY nauseated until I have a movement. Also, the last few days, only having a movement every other day. So don't know what is going on. Need to try increasing the water and see how that goes. Don't know if normal bowel movements are worth all this, plus, it seems to not work as well as it did a few days ago."

• tif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2012

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take the 24 mg twice a day after having severe constipation post-chemo and multiple abdominal surgeries. It takes a couple of days for it to cause a movement, but when it does, it's unbelievable how much it works! I have felt the nausea and headaches, but didn't realize it was caused by the Amitiza. I'm so thankful to have this medicine!"

• Isl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "When I went to the doctor and told him Linzess 290 mg wasn't working for me (I was lucky to go once a week). He said he wanted to try me on Amitiza. He said this should help. Well, I have been on it for 3 days and nothing!! I got a headache and chest pain the first day and only headaches on the second and third day. I can't understand why the doctors can't find out the underlying problem. I have tried everything!! I used to take Zelnorm, but they took that off the market. I don't care for this drug! My stomach makes noises and that's it!! I am still miserable!!"

• Pau...
• December 10, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was kind of shady to take this pill because of all the bad reviews on it. I have IBS, so I thought, what do I have to lose? So I took one pill, and within 10 minutes, this terrible nausea hit me. I even ate before I took it, and that didn't help, I was nauseous all day long, and I thought screw this, I am not taking it again, so I didn't. Two to three days later, I started having terrible stomach cramps to the point where I wanted to cry. I had diarrhea and also somewhat of stools. So does the drug make you go? Yeah. Are the side effects worth it? No! This is a really powerful drug with way too many side effects. It also gave me a bad headache."

• Jin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Why did I feel like I was having a heart attack and felt like possibly I might end up with a stroke when I took this medication? I wanted to ask my bf if I could take one of his high blood pressure meds because I had such a bad headache, worse than I had ever had, and couldn’t breathe. Is this a side effect?"

• crs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication gave me terrible side effects: bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, exhaustion, headache. Do not use it if you do not have to. The benefit was not enough to warrant the amount of side effects I got from Amitiza, so I had to stop it. It took 2 weeks for the side effects to completely go away."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2012

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had chronic constipation for 8 years now, and I can go anywhere between one to three weeks without a movement. My doctor prescribed me Amitiza, and I'm now having a movement every other day. The only reason I didn't give a ten is that the side effects are brutal. I've eaten a full meal and drank water, and I've still gotten terrible nausea, and I've even vomited from it. And the headaches don't give a good impression either. But I would rather deal with that than the horrible constipation. Overall, I love it!"

• San...
• June 28, 2011

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "At the age of 30, I started having severe constipation, but have had mild constipation since I was 16. I was on Zelnorm with some success, but find the Amitiza to be working for me with great success, a bowel movement every day, which was rare for me. I find I have to maintain a healthy diet, yogurt in the morning (a must), and drink lots of water. I also take a probiotic pill OTC every day to help with my extremely sensitive stomach. Things are in good order now for my stomach and constipation. The cost of Amitiza without insurance is $200 per month, and with insurance, I pay $50. Some minor side effects include an immediate need to use the restroom and headaches. This medicine is successful for me."

• Car...
• September 1, 2011

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Other than the expense, this medication is outstanding. No headaches or nausea for me. It is the first medication to not only soften and move stool effectively, but it seems to target that awful gas pocket that causes so much agony normally. I have a twist at the splenic flexure that is so tight, the gastroenterologist could not get the scope through, despite tripling the medications. So this medicine is a miracle. Without it, only surgery could get me this comfortable. Wish I could afford to take it twice a day. I only do that occasionally. Still have to use Miralax since I can't afford to take Amitiza twice a day."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Side effects got me feeling terrible. I was already experiencing severe bloating before I tried Amitiza, now I'm twice as bloated, feeling like I can't breathe, with dry mouth and headache. The first day taking a dose, I had a watery bowel movement, but after that, I haven't had any other movements!"