Movantik and Pain: What Users Say

• Lum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Wow, this drug gets your GI tract moving. Daily opioid user for chronic pain and constipation was becoming such a problem, I gave in and got some samples from my Dr. 2 hours later relief! THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS HERE claiming pain and cramping.... yes after immobilizing your bowels with opioids for extended periods giving them a kick in the pants isn't going to feel good (but it will clean you out)"

• Ann...
• September 27, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I was given samples of the 25mg dose for constipation due to methadone. I took it as prescribed, 2 hours after a meal. Within an hour, I was vomiting, had severe diarrhea, and horrible stomach cramps. I ended up calling an ambulance and spending 2 days in the hospital. All my electrolytes were out of balance, my temperature dropped to 95, I was so dehydrated they could barely get blood out of me. They kept a heart monitor on me the entire time I was in the hospital. I had to be put on morphine, the pain was so bad. I was released after 2 days but am now just starting to eat again. I am usually very tolerant of new medications, but this one could have killed me. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone."

• Fro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Do not take this medication!!! 30 minutes after I took it, I had the worst stomach cramps and pains I have ever encountered. Finally, after I got everything out, I started feeling withdrawal symptoms. I tried to take my Methadone dose so the withdrawal would go away, but it didn't help. I'm sitting here right now wondering how long this stays in my system and thinking about how bad I want to curse my doctor out. I just wanted to relieve myself, not go into full withdrawal. What the heck?!"

• Brb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have a spinal cord injury and have been taking methadone for nerve pain and oxycodone for hip pain for over 15 years. I had been using Miralax, but it was not as effective as I would like. The doctor recommended Movantik, and I figured it couldn't hurt to try it. Was I ever wrong. The warnings about methadone users are very accurate. Within 2 hours, I was doubled over in pain, in the bathroom for nearly 2 hours while my body cleared out. To the point of practically urinating from my butt. It was excruciating, cramps, nausea, severe sweating, and I had pressure in my head for about 6 hours. I was very ill and out of it. I was extremely afraid, the pain was so severe I thought something was wrong. I was considering going to the ER but couldn't get off the toilet. I think this medication is dangerous."

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2019

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have been taking Movantik for a year now. At first administration, I had some cramping from the stools moving within the intestines. They were a little painful in the beginning, but after continuing treatment, it is working good for me. I have a bowel movement every morning. I'm on Oxycodone 30 mg x 5 a day. Movantik was the only medicine that works compared to all others. I take it as soon as I wake up, an hour later a BM, then I’m good for the day."

• Pro...
• September 20, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I use Movantik as prescribed for what it is prescribed for opiate-induced constipation. Every time I take it, I get some gas, some pain, but never a BM. This is probably the mostly worthless medication I have ever used... Almost anything else is more effective than this giant placebo. It's expensive, and yet, cheap OTC drugs work SO MUCH BETTER."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I took this drug at 8:30 pm. At 9:15 pm, I had to go to the bathroom due to H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E stomach cramps. Then it got WORSE!! At 10:30, I had to be taken to the ER and screamed so loud due to the pain my throat is raw. It took 4 shots to get me to stop screaming. I threw up all over the bed and floor. DO NOT take this med. There are so many other alternatives."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Awful stomach pain that lasted hours. Very small amount of diarrhea. Not worth the pain. I threw the medication away, it was that bad. I didn't want to be tempted to take it again. It's really that bad. I wouldn't even bother halving the 25 mg tablet. Also, the fact that it seems to suck the options out of your body. I'm in more pain than before. Unfortunately, I had taken my morphine before this drug. Stay away from it, terrible medication."

• Mtr...
• March 14, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have to say I was somewhat relieved to see that I wasn't the only one who suffered so greatly with this drug. The experience (but sad to see others suffering). I truly thought I was dying, and I kept telling myself it'll be over soon, it'll be over soon. The pain, chills, and vomiting, absolute suffering, were unlike anything in recent memory for me. I'll never take this drug again, and I'm afraid to take anything like it, it was that severe of a reaction, and this was my 4th day taking this drug. The first night, the cramps were pretty rough but short-lived. Last night, I just truly never thought I was going to survive it. It lasted about 3 hours, which felt like an eternity. Today I'm just so weak feeling. It's going in the garbage. $323 wasted."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2018

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I will NEVER EVER take this medicine. I took one pill last night after taking 180 mg of morphine a day. I've never been in so much pain in my life. EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA AND A LOT OF VOMITING. I literally threw up everything in my body, including my morphine - for 18 hours straight, I was in excruciating pain and withdrawals because every time I took my meds again, I threw them up. I couldn't even keep down Xanax to help with anxiety. Please be aware it will relieve your constipation, but you will be cleaning your bathroom floor, sink, and toilet when you finally feel better. I agree with whoever said I wouldn't give this to my worst enemy."

• Jen...
• August 6, 2018

For Constipation, Drug Induced "My doctor gave me this because I’m on high doses of opioids for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and spinal arachnoiditis. This was horrible. I was given trial packs first. 25 mg I took, then so much pain in my belly I could not move. I was curled in the fetal position contemplating calling an ambulance. Horrific pain and deep bone pain in both my legs, far worse than my CRPS pain, plus nauseous, chills, I thought I was dying. Horrible. Threw them in the trash."

• Riv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2019

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I've tried every laxative (OTC and prescription) for my Suboxone-induced constipation, and while it does cause withdrawal and some pain, it actually works without me needing to stay home all day so I can be near a toilet. I will say that it seems to weaken the effects of the Suboxone."

• Ell...
• April 24, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I've been in pain management for 6 years, and serious constipation started 2 years ago. Linzess and Amitiza did not work. I was stuck using enemas and self-manual removal. Awful - and takes time. I have drank 3 Magnesium Citrates with no BM! Movantik works, but insurance won't pay, so I take 1/week from the few samples I get. The pain that starts within an hour of Movantik is the worst I've experienced: doubled over at the gut, crying like it could be an ER problem. But I am doubtful of ERs, so I try to make myself comfortable at home while I empty for 5-24 hours. Bloated, completely uncomfortable, and must plan to do nothing until the BMs end. Do feel a little withdrawal, so I take meds. Movantik is my only option. Wish it was more gentle."

• Swn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have been on different opioids for a chronic pain issue for 15 years, but since I started taking methadone 5 years ago, I've had horrible problems with constipation. They kept me on Miralax 34 mg twice a day and stool softeners, but even that would only allow me to use the bathroom maybe 3 times a week. I was given Relistor as the injection at home, and the pain was unbearable for 9 hours, and it did not work. I was so scared to take Movantik, but I'm so glad that I did! Just one pill and everything inside me finally came out! My cramping is very minimal, nothing that really hurts much at all, more 'Hey, the pill is working' type of movement and cramps. They have coupons for $20!"

• Don...
• September 2, 2018

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Danger. Do not use Movantik. It is the worst, and within 1 hour, you will have a bowel motion, but you will have such bad pains and withdrawals. It is sad, they should take it off the market. Do not use, I warn again, do NOT use. The worst pains lasted for about 4 hours."

• Swa...
• December 8, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Movantik worked like a charm for me - when used correctly, meaning no sooner than 2 hours after your last meal or 1 hour before your first meal of the day. I suffer from pain due to nerve damage in the lower back (S1 nerve root) after multiple surgeries and take oxy and Percocet daily. When I did not follow that very simple schedule (by accident), i.e., took it too close to my last meal, I had horrible bloating, pain, cramping, and terrible diarrhea. So I would guess that many of the negative reviews on here may be because of misuse."

• Bil...
• February 17, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Ditto on every negative review I've read about this drug. I have had severe hemorrhoid swelling, burning, and pain caused by the pressure of OIC. Although this drug was effective, the nightmare which preceded relief far outweighs ever taking this Big Pharma disaster. A mule couldn't tolerate this drug."

• 2sa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Extreme withdrawal symptoms. Chills, runny nose, cramps, pain, nausea, shakes, felt terrible. It worked well for the first two days for a bowel movement, but then stopped working as well. The bad side effects continued all the time I was on the drug (2 months). My pain doctor was surprised at my reaction to the drug, as most of her patients handle it well. Insurance (UH) refused to pay for it after 2 months. My cost was going to be around $400 a month, not worth it for me."

• Wil...
• August 23, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have fibromyalgia, IBS-C, and worst of all, OIC. I took as prescribed one day. I got horrible pain and withdrawal symptoms, gut gurgled for a couple hours in the morning. Then zip, nada, nothing! I was out after that. Second day too sick. I thought I should give it a second try two weeks later to make sure as I had high hopes I might get back some of my life. Same again but worse. Kept repeating symptoms at odd times for four days so far. I dread reliving withdrawals at bedtime. Docs should know fibromyalgia is a brain-related disease, so the med is crossing the blood barrier."

• Kek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "This drug never worked for me. It caused withdrawal symptoms and almost killed me! I was in 10 times more pain because it was causing me to withdraw from my pain meds. I do not recommend anyone take this horrible drug! Doctors just write it to make money and do not check to see how awful the side effects are!"

• Bur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2022

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I have taken opioids for 15 years, multiple back injuries and others. I'm getting older and don't move around as much. Anyway, I was given 25 mg and tried 1 pill. It was too much. Caused cramping, pain, some diarrhea, but gave relief. I believe it caused withdrawals for days. And though it is not listed as a laxative or fast-acting, it was my experience anyway, it was. I tried a third about 8 mg. That also acted fast. After not taking it for 3 days, I'm going to give it a try after another day or 2. This time, a quarter or 6 mg max. I feel it will still work. Everyone is different and taking different doses of opiate. If you choose to try this med, I would start with a very low dose while at home. And be sure to save your pain med till after, or take it long enough before it doesn't completely leave you in withdrawals. My half dose left me feeling worse than the constipation days later. I think that's what it was. So my final opinion, it can work, but needs to be better regulated than prescribed."

• fib...
• November 28, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have been on opioids for 20 years at least. So constipation kind of rules my life. I too ended up in emergency twice, but all they did was give me an enema, which never works for me. I saw a Movantik ad on TV, so I asked my Dr. if I should try it. He agreed and wrote me a prescription. When I got home, I took one, and it had no effect at all. Just nothing. So I decided to check the reviews on this drug, and people have had just too many problems with pain, cramps, all sorts of awful things. Since it didn't work, I felt lucky. I don't want to go through the pain."

• nyd...
• February 8, 2018

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "Movantik was prescribed after lumbar fusion surgery. The drug was $324.00, my share, and it was not effective. The drug was taken as prescribed, on an empty stomach. After 4 days of constipation, other laxatives had to be taken. The pain from the first bowel movement after Movantik had been taken, and induced by other medications, was excruciating."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I read some of this stuff and just lol. 'Worst cramps ever,' 'Horrible pain,' 'Wanted to die,' 'Withdrawals unbearable.' I think the problem is many of you, in this modern age, cannot stand a little discomfort because you haven't had to most of your life. ...science has done so much to improve our lives."

• Vic...
• September 4, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Made me so sick for about 8 hours, and no BM. This medicine is dangerous! I would have called 911, but was in so much pain I couldn't even speak!"