PreserVision AREDS 2 and Constipation: What Users Say

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2020

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "I was advised by my Retina Specialist to start taking AREDS 2 last month. I have been taking two per day of the mini gels for six weeks. I have never experienced such severe constipation. I've also had sudden onset of nausea. I discussed with my doctor today at my post-op visit. He was unaware of there being anything in the AREDS 2 vitamin that would cause this, but was very understanding of the fact that everyone's reaction could be different. Since it doesn't agree with me, he suggests I stop taking. Now that I've found and read these reviews I feel confident that PreserVision AREDS 2 has caused the problems I'm having and I'm not alone as to the problems they cause."

• lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2021

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "I was diagnosed with the beginning of macular degeneration by my optometrist and prescribed AREDS 2 about 1 year ago. I started taking them and soon had stomach problems, constipation, cramps, and very black stools. I did not at the time realize what was causing these problems as I have a hiatal hernia, had reflux, and indigestion for many years. I stopped taking them for about 3 months while I was adding other medications to my daily routine. I started again on AREDS 2 about 3 weeks ago and lately, I often have very dark (black) stools and very bad cramps. I also noticed that my eyesight is blurry and my eyes get very tired. After reading all the reviews, I will stop taking these right now. It's awful all the side effects this is causing. It should be taken off the market."

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

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "Very negative experience while taking this drug. I made the decision to only take 1 pill a day to start. From the start, I had nausea, each day the nausea grew worse. After about 3 days, I started having hot flashes, mostly occurring at night. I still felt I needed to give the medication a chance for my body to adjust. After about 2 weeks, nausea was less. I then decided to start taking the recommended dose of 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I was unable to tolerate the increase, more nausea accompanied by heartburn. After 5 days, I went back to 1 pill a day. I really did not feel well since I started taking this medication. Waves of nausea, lethargic, constipated. I tried to convince myself that I would eventually adjust to the medication. Anyway, the final straw after being on the medication was the itchy red rash that started on my arms. It spread up and down both arms. My mouth and tongue had a burning sensation. I stopped the medication. After 3 days, the rash has improved."

• Chu...
• July 30, 2021

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "Dr. said I needed cataract surgery. So, I decided to have the surgery on both eyes. During my first visit, for the pre-op eye exam, the optometrist recommended AREDS 2. I've been on the AREDS for 18 months and have just come into some unstable blood pressure readings. [I take no BP meds]. I mistakenly was only taking 1 tab a day. Started on 2 recently. [Up until I started the 2 tab dosage, I had no BP abnormalities.] Seeing these comments from others, I have linked the stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, headaches, upset stomach I am experiencing to this drug. My situation may be unique in that I take an over 50 multivitamin, 5000u D3, 99mg potassium, glucosamine/chondroitin. Vitamin overload? My daughter, a RN, has warned me about excessive potassium. Can cause heart issues. I am discontinuing the AREDS. HTH,"

• Ove...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2021

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "I was told to take this for my AMD and have had horrible nausea, heartburn, constipation, muscle problems. I had no idea it could have been caused by the PreserVision! I will immediately stop taking them, as I haven’t felt well since the day I started taking them! Hope I don’t go blind but can’t continue feeling like this!"

• 123...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2023

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "After reading through these accounts of AREDS 2 side effects, I am starting to wonder whether my frequent headaches, occasional bad constipation, dizzy spells, and a recent diagnosis of low blood pressure (90/49) after three months on AREDS 2 for macular degeneration might be related. It never occurred to me until I read this chat box. I am curious to know if anyone else has experienced a significant drop in their blood pressure due to AREDS 2. Before switching to the new AREDS 2, I was using AREDS with lutein, which had stabilized my macular degeneration without any complications."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2022

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "I had been taking it for seven months and noticed issues with my eyes: more blurry vision and ghosting when looking at white text on a dark background on my phone, like when checking the weather app. My eyes seem tired and felt funny. Then I got a floater for the first time. That’s when I found this forum and started reading about other side effects: constipation. Yep. Headaches. Yep. I also started having a floating feeling in my head. It all sent me to the doctor to rule out causes. I’ve stopped taking this and have started feeling better. Anyone experience the ghosting? That’s the one thing I didn’t read here."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2021

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "I have wet macular degeneration in one eye. Have been taking Eylea injections every 6 weeks for two years. In the last six months, taking 2 PreserVision AREDS 2 capsules each day, the most annoying symptom is severe constipation, which I have rarely had in the past. My retina specialist recommended these, and I have regularly taken them. I’m interested in another compound which would be effective."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "This drug gave me the worst constipation I've ever experienced. I drink a pot of coffee every morning, and after I have a bowel movement without fail, like clockwork. Not on this drug! I took this drug, 1 gel capsule per day for 3 weeks before I realized this was the drug causing it. The constipation was so severe, it took two Enemeez in a row, and it was the most painful pass of my life. I've been off of the drug for 3 days now, and it's getting better, but WOW! Avoid this drug like the plague!"