Naloxegol and Cramps: What Users Say

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "Movantik has been a life-saver for me. I've been on opioid treatment for years and can't tell you how many times I've been scared to death because my medication causes me to back up. I've used stimulant laxatives almost daily, and they don't always work (and can cause long-term motility problems if used frequently). Movantik worked immediately when I first tried it; the first day it did cause cramping and some discomfort, but I was so relieved that the discomfort was worth it. After that first day, it hasn't caused any discomfort and has allowed me to get back to normal and not have the constant anxiety about getting a blockage. I've seen a number of reviews talk about discomfort and cramping, but for me that only happened the first day and my quality of life has been greatly improved since then."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2019

For Constipation, Drug Induced "This medicine Movantik works for my constipation in an hour or less. The side effects aren't that bad most days compared to the nightmare of constipation. The first time I took it I would say I was in really bad for about 6 hours. The next day I was hesitant but knew that side effects from medication do lessen with time. So, I took it again and was awful for 3 hours. I took it for a 3rd time and was able to go within the hour with a bearable amount of cramping. Some days I do have cramps but they are not the nightmare I started with. If for some reason I skip taking it for a few days I can have cramping and sweating, etc. so I try not to miss many. If constipation is ruining your life, this medicine can help. I recommend trying to get through the first few times, remembering that side effects can lessen when your body gets used to medicine. That is my experience. I hope everyone who reads this is able to get help also. Believe me, I know the nightmare you must be in if you are reading this."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2021

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I can understand both negative and positive reactions to Movantik. I have experienced both. The first time I had cramps and went immediately. This is while using heroin. During the beginning of the pandemic, copping fentanyl and dope in the street was getting dangerous and hard. So after years of not doing methadone, I got back on. It works differently with methadone. What I do is I cut them in half. I take half in the morning on an empty stomach an hour before my methadone dose, and at night I take the rest. After 20 years of experiencing horrible constipation, chronic inflammation, and severe fatigue, depression, now I go 3 times a day, I lost 50 pounds, and I changed to a plant-based diet. Movantik in combination with diet and exercise can be a lifesaver. Stick with it."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2023

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I felt I needed to write this review considering how many negative reviews there are out there for this drug. (There are very few good/positive ones.) Hopefully, those like me will give it a try. My experience so far has been great. I’ve been taking Percocet 10’s, muscle relaxers, and gabapentin daily for the past 22 years due to 24/7 chronic pain. I have severe constipation. I never go on my own without taking something to make me go. I have advanced to taking prescription medications via the doctor. But either they don’t work or eventually stop working for me. I took the first dose in the morning, one hour before any other meds. Had a small bowel movement within 20 mins. After eating a couple of hours later, had a large bowel movement. No withdrawals and very few cramps/stomach pains. (FYI: It was sudden.)"

• pea...
• March 9, 2021

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "So my issue was horrible. I could go 10+ days with no BM, bloating, and feeling like I'm walking around with a watermelon in my tummy 24/7. It was very painful. I take two pills every day, no matter the time. The first few days there was a bit of discomfort, but that's to be expected with all that's stopped up in your system. The big difference is that the stools are finally soft - no more pushing or just sitting there on the toilet for goodness knows how long, getting fissures and other butt issues which are just as painful. Maybe the dose has to do with weight or I have an iron stomach after being on meds for so long, but Movantik is a godsend. I may not go every single day, but I will take it every other day and a little cramping to clear myself out, also H2O H2O H2O..."

• 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)"

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Like most of you, I just could not go, and when I did I was stranded on the pot wishing for a quick death. I tried everything, but I am taking Morphine, muscle relaxers, neurontin and more...nothing worked. Finally I asked my doctor about Movantik. He wrote me a script immediately, sent me home with samples too. Mind you, I had not gone for over a week, day one with Movantik and I had a religious experience on the pot. I did have the cramps and lots of gas but the trade-off was worth it. I am on my second month with Movantik and can say it is truly a blessing to poop again. So sorry most of these posts are such bad experiences. I have nothing but happy feelings for this super pooper drug."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "This Movantik was a godsend for me. Pain medication caused severe constipation to the point I was taking stimulant laxatives almost daily with only minimal success. The first day of taking 12.5 mg Movantik, I had some severe cramping and stomach pain, but it worked. After the first day, I had no more cramps. I’ve found it works best if you take it first thing in the morning. When I’ve taken it later in the day, it seems to do nothing, and if you stop taking it for several days, you go back to day one as far as cramps go. It’s not perfect, but it’s a godsend for people on opioids who have almost panicked to death because of days of no motility. Highly recommend, just know on Day 1 you may have discomfort due to days/weeks of backlog."

• Sko...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2017

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Like many people who have commented, I have been on heavy doses of opioids for 20 years with severe constipation. My doctor recommended Movantik, which I took exactly as directed. Unfortunately, I experienced horrible side effects including terrible cramping, diarrhea, sweating, hot flashes, and essentially the misery of full-blown withdrawal. I now have a huge bottle of Movantik that will likely collect dust forever. I will try everything else before considering that again."

• Owa...
• December 5, 2019

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I've taken this pill 2x months apart. Both docs insisted it wouldn't put me into ANY form of withdrawal, gut or otherwise. I took a whole pill the 1st time & it sent me right into withdrawal. Blood pressure up, sweats, cold, anxious, restless legs/body, awful. On top of that, it gave me horrendous stomach pains. I was crying & moaning, it felt like labor pains almost, plus nausea. I couldn't take care of my daughter. Took extra methadone, but it didn't help. 7 hrs later I was cleaned out but exhausted & scared, but it finally slowed down, still had mild cramps for hrs after. 2nd time I took less than half a pill & it was the same, except I wasn't in as bad of withdrawal. I vomited so hard & painfully over & over, was seeing double, I didn't get cleaned out, I ended up just having a normal-sized bowel movement. Headache both times. Want so badly to not be constipated anymore that I want to see if it gets easier, but I am so scared. Nothing works. I don't know what to do..."

• MzC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "After using Relistor shots as needed for my OIC (opioid-induced constipation) (which caused extreme stomach cramps and diarrhea, but it's very effective), my PM doc put me on Movantik. I didn't see results that were nearly as drastic, but it seemed to kind of work. It seems that my pain meds aren't as effective with Movantik in my system. I've had withdrawal symptoms: sweats, cramping, anxiety, yawning profusely, agitation, and my anxiety level has gone through the roof. Not worth it. It's produced BMs on occasion, but I'll stick to my stool softeners, laxatives, and drinking lots of water. I don't like the idea of having another addictive drug in my body to counteract symptoms from the first one. And feeling like crap is not a good trade. GOOD LUCK!"

• JWD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "Amitiza has worked well for over two years to control constipation which is a direct result of opioids taken for pain control. However, my doctor gave me a box of Movantik to try instead. NEVER AGAIN! Within a short period of time, my colon began cramping for several hours. Initially, I hoped that a bowel movement would reduce the pain. It did not! I then got diarrhea. Not wanting to call 911, I tried to breathe deeply as I went from chills to sweats to chills & the cramping continued. Praying not to throw up, but when I did, it was SO VIOLENT that it went through one of my nostrils. I had peritonitis 20 years ago, and it is a toss-up which was worse. Childbirth wasn't as severe. I'll never again try this pill even at a lesser dosage."

• EMS...
• September 24, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I am on opioids for chronic back pain. I used Miralax and Metamucil, but my bowel movements were irregular, and I felt like I was emptying out and backing up. I tried 25 mg on an empty stomach at 3 pm yesterday for the first time. I started having cramps. I called my doctor and added a suppository. Twenty minutes later, I had a massive bowel movement over 30 minutes. None after that. This morning, I woke up in withdrawal, feeling cold, nauseous, having abdominal cramps, horrible pain, and generally feeling lousy. It was odd as my last pain med dose was six hours before, and I do not usually get withdrawals that quickly. My morning pain meds fixed the withdrawals, but I was still in significant pain until 1 pm after the second pain med dose at 12. It seems to decrease the pain-reducing effects of opioids."

• EMS...
• September 24, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I am on opioids for chronic back pain. I used Miralax and Metamucil, but my bowel movements were irregular, and I felt like I was emptying out and backing up. I tried 25 mg on an empty stomach at 3 pm yesterday for the first time. I started having cramps. I called my doctor and added a suppository. Twenty minutes later, I had a massive bowel movement over 30 minutes. None after that. This morning, I woke up in withdrawal, feeling cold, nauseous, having abdominal cramps, horrible pain, and generally feeling lousy. It was odd as my last pain med dose was six hours before, and I do not usually get withdrawals that quickly. My morning pain meds fixed the withdrawals, but I was still in significant pain until 1 pm after the second pain med dose at 12. It seems to decrease the pain-reducing effects of opioids."

• Her...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I have been taking opiates for 2 years now, but as soon as I started taking morphine, everything came to a halt. I hadn't had a BM in over 8 days. I took the Movantik, and nothing happened at all the first day. I took another one the next, still nothing. I woke up the next morning, and yeah, I had some cramping and gas pain, but I also emptied my bowels of what seemed to be an entire week's worth of poop. Yes, it hurt, but not because of the drug. It hurt because, unfortunately, my movement had hardened and was difficult to pass. However, the relief I felt after all was said and done is amazing. I am having regular-sized, normal movements now. None of the withdrawal symptoms, and none of the extreme discomfort like gas, vomiting, or cramps."

• MS...
• September 19, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I've had very severe constipation for years due to my daily need for oxycodone and morphine. I've tried everything with little relief, so that's why I gave this a try. It was the worst day of my life! I took it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. About 30 minutes after taking it, I had a bowel movement... yeah, right? About 2 minutes after, I started having SEVERE intestinal cramps! So bad I could hardly breathe! I also got severe chills and had goosebumps all over my body. I continued to have a bowel movement every 15-20 minutes for the next 3 hours. The whole time, having extremely painful cramping, nausea, sweats, chills, goosebumps... It cleaned me out, that's for sure. But it was not worth the pain, and it wiped me out the whole day!!"

• MS...
• September 19, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I've had very severe constipation for years due to my daily need for oxycodone and morphine. I've tried everything with little relief, so that's why I gave this a try. It was the worst day of my life! I took it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. About 30 minutes after taking it, I had a bowel movement... yeah, right? About 2 minutes after, I started having SEVERE intestinal cramps! So bad I could hardly breathe! I also got severe chills and had goosebumps all over my body. I continued to have a bowel movement every 15-20 minutes for the next 3 hours. The whole time, having extremely painful cramping, nausea, sweats, chills, goosebumps... It cleaned me out, that's for sure. But it was not worth the pain, and it wiped me out the whole day!!"

• hun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "Worst medication I've ever tried. It gets rid of your constipation but also causes horrible withdrawal. At first, I thought everything was fine. Six hours in, I had gone to the toilet four times. I was okay except for some stomach pain, which I expected. After eight hours in, I had the most horrendous cramps of my life. My whole body ached. I was nauseous. As time goes on, I realized I was in full-blown withdrawal. I started shivering. The cramps, pain, and diarrhea were horrible. Twelve hours in, I can't leave the toilet. My pain's unbearable. I felt I had nothing left to evacuate, but I keep just cramping up. My entire body is shaking. FYI, I take 30 mg oxycodone IR every three hours and Norco 10 four times daily. Movantik has made this ineffective. I'm writing this in the hopes that you do not take this drug. I was going to the bathroom every morning with just Miralax. My insurance company decided to stop covering it. But I'll figure out I'll just buy the Miralax. It's the next morning now, and finally, it's over except for residual cramps."

• 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."

• POD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2018

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "Ok, I have been prescribed opioid pain medication for the past 17 years after I fractured my skull. I have literally been on every pain medication known to man! I was on Duragesic for 3.5 years-400 mcg every 3 days. All opioid pain meds cause constipation. I have tried many laxatives, however, NONE of them have worked at all! I saw the commercials for Movantik and asked my doctor about it. He prescribed the med for me, and I started taking it 3 days ago. Movantik works, at least for me. Two hours after taking the dose on the first day, I felt somewhat queasy and slight cramps. Wow! There was no explosion, no diarrhea, no unpleasant side effects. It just worked. I take Movantik in the morning an hour before I eat. Within 2-3 hours, I have a bowel movement, and that is the extent of the experience. I feel like a new man."

• 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."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "OMG! This is horrible! The cramps and bloating are the worst I've ever had! I suffer from multiple pain issues, fibromyalgia, severe neck and back pain with shooting pins and needles with burning down my legs, due to a failed back surgery. I'll take that pain over the pain I have from Movantik. I have been back and forth from the bathroom and sat on the pot till both of my legs are numb. Nothing's moving, but I'm having such bad cramps I can't move."

• Jum...
• December 15, 2016

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I've been taking opioids for back pain for almost a year, so I've been dealing with constipation for about the same length of time. I took Movantik last night for the first time, and within an hour I had a racing heart, shortness of breath, and a throbbing headache. Now, 20 hours later, I'm so irritable I could spit and can hardly think straight. 24 hours of anxiety, cramps, and nausea! I'm so grateful to see these reviews because I don't feel alone and crazy."

• Sno...
• September 5, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I have been on methadone for 9 years, and I have extremely bad constipation from it. A few months ago, I was in the ER for constipation-related problems, and the ER doctor gave me a prescription for Symproic. It worked great for a while, but didn't last long, so my GI doctor prescribed me Movantik. I took it a little before bedtime, about 20 minutes later, I started getting painful cramps and sweating. Fifteen minutes after that, I had a small BM. The cramps lasted about 2 hours, and by that time, I was in full withdrawal. I was in withdrawal all night until I took my methadone the next morning, I wasn't able to get much sleep. The Movantik did work, and the cramps were bearable, but the withdrawal was too much for me. I do not think it is worth it to take this every day, but if you don't mind the withdrawal, this medication may be worth it to you."

• MB0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2015

For Constipation, Drug Induced "I lasted less than 3 weeks on Movantik my provider recommended! I ended up at the ER because of the severe cramping, violent vomiting, bloating, nausea that had occurred. I'm being asked if I had ever had colitis or diverticulitis in the past, which is a fat no! They had to put me on an IV because of the dehydration. I've been off Movantik for a while, and my GI is still irritated. Huge disappointment, but I'd rather give natural birth to more children because it was a breeze compared to the experience I had with Movantik! Now it appears I have to seek a GI doc to deal with the aftereffects of being on it!"