Embeda and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I have been taking this medicine for only a few days now and have noticed some things that have me very concerned because it was given for pain, but I have been experiencing major side effects. The first thing that started was headaches, then depression, nausea, stomach aches, feeling of swelling of my legs, feet, ankles, hands, and it feels like I'm retaining fluid all over my body. I didn't have these side effects when I was taking Morphine without the extra ingredient like the Embeda has and now I am worried that I am going to be in severe pain as this medication does very little for my pain."

• Old...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2016

For Chronic Pain "Complicated history; 2 different genetic mutations causing multiple disorders, polyarticular gout, pseudogout with calcium crystals in all joints, 3-level neck fusion, 4 back surgeries. The last lumbar surgery caused a blood clot in the spine; loss of bowel and bladder control, severe arthritis with damaged joints, Paget's disease of the bone, etc. Been on MS ER since the 4th failed surgery but had to change doctors. The new doc put me on Embeda, and it is awful. Headache within the hour, withdrawal symptoms within 3-4 hours, sweating and leg cramps, nausea, constipation; but worse of all, no pain relief. After being on a regimen that worked since 2003, with the flap about abuse, doctors are afraid of morphine."

• Con...
• January 25, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I have been taking this medicine for several months now, and I have noticed some things that have occurred, which is making me very scared because it is messing with my body in a very bad way! The first thing that started was the headaches, then the rest started showing up daily, like depression, nausea, stomach aches, swelling of my legs, feet, ankles, and hands. It's like I'm retaining fluid all over my body, blurred vision, nosebleeds! I haven't read up on the side effects yet, but I'm sure I'm not going to be surprised if it's on the list. I didn't have these side effects when I was taking Morphine without the extra ingredient like the Embeda has, and now my insurance will only pay for this medication, and it costs $1300 a month!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I have had chronic back pain for 5 years. After failed surgeries and injections, (and after years of oxycodone) my doc put me on EMBEDA. I take it exactly how it is prescribed. After a month, I have had so many negative side effects. I get severe headaches, stabbing stomach aches, and have been almost zombie-like. As far as the pain goes, it does treat pain fairly well. However, sometimes the EMBEDA cannot touch the nerve pain. I personally would prefer my previous medication because the side effects of EMBEDA just make me feel worse."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I have been on Embeda for just 1 month, and at first, it was rough, constantly hurting and withdrawing, extremely tired, headaches. Now I guess things are starting to level off, but the headaches persist, but my pain is finally under control with the Embeda 30-1.2 once a day and Percocet 10 mgs 3 times a day for breakthrough pain. I have degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis in both knees, fibromyalgia, and lupus. I'm hoping I can soon get my life back. I'm grateful for the not-high feeling, and the most important thing is I'm not constantly in pain anymore, so my depression is getting better and I don't have to use the Percocet as much. Now if the headaches leave and the overtired feeling would leave, I will 100 percent."

• Aum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I've been on this joke for medication for 3 months now because the doctor refused to change me from it while I was going through diagnostic procedures and finally nerve ablation. It's never helped my pain. It's given me severe headaches, made me irritable, I've gained 30 lbs on it, had swelling in my legs and arms, and also really has affected my moods and my patience level. I've begged for a change or an increase but was told he wanted me to stay where I was until after the ablation. Well, had that 2 weeks ago, since then I've had major increases in pain, a headache that hasn't stopped since the procedure, hip pain (that wasn't there before the procedure). I'm on a low dose for this, I don't think I need a breakthrough pain med."

• Non...
• October 10, 2017

For Chronic Pain "This drug is horrible! Causes severe headaches! Sweating so severe clothes are soaked. Take a shower, and you are drier in the water than clothed and sweating using this dangerous drug. It needs to be pulled from the market, and I will do my best to see it happen. I have been on 24/7 pain management for 17 years, this is by far the worst drug on the market."

• WeM...
• September 9, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Embeda, along with another similar drug, Targin (Oxycodone/Naloxone), that are starting to be prescribed like crazy in this “era of junkies,” are almost worthless. I say almost because they are decent at controlling off-label opiate-induced constipation. If at all possible, just avoid this drug. Do NOT let your doctor prescribe it to you because once they do, you're stuck with it. Do NOT take the 9-10 reviews seriously, as most likely they are drug reps or paid companies. (Just look for zero side effects and the words “perfect,” “best,” etc.). No drug that is made to help cancer and chronic pain patients should even have the CHANCE to induce life-threatening withdrawal! The naloxone WILL affect the system of opiate-tolerant users. Those that don’t understand, all those headaches and anxiety, pains, and restlessness are due to you taking a drug with another drug in it that completely blocks its effectiveness. I pray for the future of chronic pain and cancer sufferers. Also, it’s crazy expensive."

• Tam...
• April 13, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Started taking Embeda 20 mg 4 days ago. Doctor switched me from Norco since she didn't want to increase my dosage, and it was starting to become less effective. Was told to take 1 Embeda every 12 hours. Wasn't sure how it would make me feel, so waited until bedtime, this was the first time I have not woken up during the night because the medicine had worn off. In fact, it even lasted longer than the 12 hours. I did have a headache on the second day, but it was the only one I've had, so it might not have been related. The only drawback that I have is excessive sweating. I am always hot and sweating with any sort of activity. It does take a little while before the pain relief is felt, so you might want to figure out where yours wears off and take the next one before then. I am able to get about 15 hours from 1 dose. I am so happy to have finally found something that has allowed me to sleep through the night again."

• Maj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2017

For Chronic Pain "Zero relief and headaches due to blood pressure and heart rate going up."