Naloxegol and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2017

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I have been taking opiates for ten years with the common side effect of constipation, so my Dr. prescribed Movantik. It worked, but I really thought I was going to die. The cramps, sweating, head spinning, and yes, it cleans you out with the worst smell ever experienced. If you use this, be ready to suffer."

• ais...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2017

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "Been taking Movantik for 2 1/2 months. At first, it seemed to be working great, no side effects with normal daily bowel movements and was thrilled. Then last month, I noticed being nauseous about an hour after taking my morning dose (the literature recommends taking your dose in the morning, 1 hour before your first meal). Usually after eating, it resolved, but then I started having random sudden severe cramping and nausea, cold soaking sweats, feeling extremely dizzy, and bad diarrhea ultimately. I didn't realize it was the Movantik until I stopped it for a few days. Felt fine, and then after restarting, it happened all over. I guess that's withdrawal then? Had no idea but figured out it was the Movantik causing all the symptoms!"

• Cyn...
• October 8, 2017

Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation "OMG!! I didn't go to the bathroom for almost a month. I did go a little, not much, then I started to get wicked bad heartburn, so I said let me try the Movantik again. Within 15 mins, I began to sweat profusely, I'm not kidding. I was drenched with sweat and had cramps so bad I thought I died, and the chills-I couldn't believe that this could actually do this to someone. And the throwing up was also horrible!! No lie, I thought I was puking poop. I was so grossed out, and I'm still sweating like no tomorrow, and it's been 2 days now since I took a dose of it. I'm glad it works for some, but I wouldn't give that to my worst enemy!! That stuff is just horrible!! I've been on methadone for almost 18 years now for back pain, failed surgery, fusion, and SCS failed."

• Vic...
• July 15, 2019

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I have Raynaud's, I have rheumatoid arthritis, and I also have fibromyalgia, therefore, I'm prescribed opioids, which everyone knows cause constipation. Movantik is a lifesaver. Although it says take one a day, it's my belief it should only be taken when you can't go. Yes, you will have cramps and sweating, but ultimately this medicine works, and I would recommend it to anyone."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2018

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I started taking 25 mg yesterday after chronic backups, sometimes up to 2 weeks. Have had the script for 6 months, but had the fear of withdrawal, so I suffered and didn’t take it. That was dumb. I have stage 4 esophagus cancer, which is the most painful cancer, they say. So I take whatever I have to, to stop it. It took 3 hours before I went, and it was a good bit, but only once. Going to do it again today and hopefully I will have the same results so I can get it all out of me. I cramped for about 4 hours after the bowel motion and had chills. Just fell asleep about two hours, woke up, and they were wearing off. No withdrawal symptoms yet, so all in all, a good drug. Don’t worry about withdrawal symptoms, the good outweighed the bad. Will update in about a week. Hope it helps you!"

• Mit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

Naloxegol for Constipation, Chronic "I have taken Movantik less than a week, and it has not worked for me. I have severe abdominal cramps, nausea, bloating, flatulence, and really bad constipation. I was hoping Movantik would work as well as Amitiza did. Do not like this medication and will discontinue it!"

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

Naloxegol 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."

• Sac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I messed up. It didn’t say on the label not to take it with food, so I took it with dinner. Then I read the reviews and was terrified. I take 85 mg methadone daily, by the way, down from 180 mg slowly over the last four years. Anyway, 15 min later, I was cleaned out! No cramping. No diarrhea. I kept waiting for the precipitated withdrawals to set in. I was certain they would because I took it with food and figured I’d absorb more of the drugs and be screwed. I was only prescribed the 12.5 mg. But guess what? The precipitated withdrawals never came! I didn’t have any negative side effects! The poop wasn’t even hard to get out! It was like a dream! A poop dream. I will update if I get any bad side effects with continued use! And Medi-Cal covered the entire cost!"

• Sub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2017

Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation "I was an opiate addict for 24 years, been clean for a year. I have always had trouble with constipation. I was taking OTC stool softeners when I'd go 4 or 5 days without going. I would be in so much pain I would literally put a glove on with Vaseline and dig it out. Movantik has been a lifesaver. I take 1 every night, have coffee in the morning, and go. Little cramping the first couple of days but no withdrawals or nausea. I have lost 14 pounds in a month as well. Very happy."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2018

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "Ok, I'm NEVER taking that Movantik EVER again!!!!! I feel like I'm going to die! Insane stomach pain, cramping, sweat pouring off me, chills, lightheadedness, diarrhea, crazy lower back pain. I threw up while on the toilet... uhh... no! That pill is awful! I'll deal with the constipation.... I can't handle this. I'm lying on the couch downstairs in excruciating pain, shaking, sweating, and wanting to puke. So yeah... you could say it “worked,” but I’m not willing to deal with the consequences."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2016

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "It's a complete contradiction, on one hand, it'll make you go for sure, till it's running down your legs in the middle of the night. On the other hand, it only works as a fast-acting medication. So you get to go through the cramping, sweating, irritation, withdrawals, and panic every time you want to go. I took my second pill a few weeks ago and posted the effects here. I haven't taken any more but am still having all of these side effects every time I have to go. I thought I would be over all this by now. I'm miserable, along with sleeping legs."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2016

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "Started taking Movantik 25 mg. Was very skeptical about it after reading reviews. I have been on opiates for 10 yrs. for chronic back pain. I spoke with the doctor, and he said I could use Zofran and Bentyl if needed. Took the first dose, waiting for the worst. I had a bowel movement within 2 hrs. of taking the medicine. Normal side effects the first day. The 3rd day was rough: nausea, cramps, and fatigue. Continued side effects lasted about 2 weeks. Not unbearable. Started having 2 bowel movements a week. So much better than every 14+ days. And then only with major colonoscopy cleansing. I experienced irritability and mood swings. The doctor had me stop and switch to Amitiza. That was awful, didn't help, made symptoms of OIC return with a vengeance. Went back to Movantik."

• HcV...
• February 7, 2016

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "Negative and potentially dangerous experience. All Movantik did for me was give me gas and painful cramps all day/night. For the entire two weeks I took it, I did not have any BM. Thankfully, I was switched back to my regular OIC medicine and could make. If I would have continued to take Movantik, I was running the risk of a serious blockage being created from that medicine, so I strongly recommend that if this does not work for someone within 14 days, to immediately consult a doctor!"

• Mod...
• December 23, 2019

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I’m on 80 mg of methadone for opioid addiction, and it’s worked brilliantly over the past 5.75 years. I ended up with bad methadone constipation—6 days no BM—and severe gas cramps. I read a lot of horror stories on this site and decided to start with half of a Movantik 25 mg pill. Within 45 minutes, I had what would have been a decent-sized BM—but I was going on 6 days of backup. I had very minimal cramping and no withdrawal symptoms to speak of. 8 hours later, I took the other 1/2—same result. I should note that I’ve been abstaining from taking my methadone for about 2 days, hoping that a) it will help get things moving and b) it would lessen the severity of any withdrawal effects. I’m also on Wellbutrin, which has always worked as a buffer with withdrawal symptoms for me. I felt hardly any symptoms after my initial BM each time I took 1/2 a pill. I’d consider it a success—I feel way less blocked up."

• Mod...
• December 23, 2019

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I’m on 80 mg of methadone for opioid addiction, and it’s worked brilliantly over the past 5.75 years. I ended up with bad methadone constipation—6 days no BM—and severe gas cramps. I read a lot of horror stories on this site and decided to start with half of a Movantik 25 mg pill. Within 45 minutes, I had what would have been a decent-sized BM—but I was going on 6 days of backup. I had very minimal cramping and no withdrawal symptoms to speak of. 8 hours later, I took the other 1/2—same result. I should note that I’ve been abstaining from taking my methadone for about 2 days, hoping that a) it will help get things moving and b) it would lessen the severity of any withdrawal effects. I’m also on Wellbutrin, which has always worked as a buffer with withdrawal symptoms for me. I felt hardly any symptoms after my initial BM each time I took 1/2 a pill. I’d consider it a success—I feel way less blocked up."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

Naloxegol for Constipation, Chronic "I read the reviews here and was resistant to using Movantik because of the negative reviews. But my doc insisted he'd gotten no negative feedback, so I decided to try it. I figured I could handle some withdrawal symptoms if it relieved this horrible constipation. Prior to this, I'd had no pain or cramping in my abdomen, just the knowledge that I hadn't gone in two weeks and the stool sitting at my rectum, not going anywhere. I took the 25 mg tablet at 6:30 a.m. Within one hour, I had the worst abdominal pain and cramping, miles beyond anything I've ever gone through. I had to try to move the stool manually. I was literally shouting in pain, sweating profusely, and my nose was running like a faucet. Cutting to the chase, I went 911 to the ER where the doctor had to manually disimpact me. That was a horrific experience. I've never had abdominal cramping like that. That's due solely to Movantik. I always try to be compliant with doctor's orders, but I'm never going to touch this drug again."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2018

Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation "My doctor gave me samples of Movantik. I have been on pain meds for years, also, I have to take iron pills because I am anemic. I have tried taking stool softeners, Miralax, and it doesn't work. I took the Movantik first thing in the morning. The first day, I got cramps, but after that, just very little cramping. Within a couple of hours, I have a movement with really no side effects. I will keep using it. The only thing I am noticing is I have the chills."

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

Naloxegol 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."

• Kan...
• July 29, 2017

Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation "I've been taking Movantik once in the morning for a month, and it does nothing for me. I'm so disappointed because I've tried everything. I go 5 to 7 days without bowel movements. I'm at a loss of what to do next. I hope my gastro doctor has a plan. The only things I've experienced from Movantik are gas and severe cramping."

• fib...
• November 28, 2017

Naloxegol 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."

• Ora...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2018

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "I paid $100 copay for the script to use postoperatively, and it did absolutely nothing. Bought Ex-Lax, and that worked. I think it cost $5. Typically would never take Ex-Lax because of the urgent need to go and cramps, etc., but when on opioids, it worked without the pain usually associated with it. I think the drug is a complete waste of money and not sure how it actually showed efficacy in trials, need to check. Maybe they did trial with a stool softener as a comparator, idk?"

• HJB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2017

Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation "Last year I had both my hips replaced (at 2 separate times) and was prescribed opioids. Within days I had horrible constipation, tried the over-the-counters first suggested by my surgeon with no relief. I addressed this with my surgeon during my follow-up visit and asked him about Movantik, I remember seeing the commercial. He stated that he never heard of it before, looked it up, and gave me a script. Took Movantik the next morning, by that evening, I had my first bowel movement and felt so much better. I did experience a little cramping, but I would take that over the constipation any day. Was only on my opioid for two weeks, so I stopped the Movantik at the same time. I was just shocked how my surgeon had never heard of Movantik before."

• Hur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

Naloxegol for Constipation, Drug Induced "This is by far the worst nightmare medication I’ve ever taken! I had severe cramps like labor pains! Does not work! Metallic taste in mouth! I have been using Percocet for 2 weeks, only every 12 hours, after spinal bone infusion, which in itself was very painful! Never dreamed the pain I’d be in after Movantik! Only took 1 pill! Did not make me use the bathroom, only in severe abdominal and lower back pain! I just threw away 29 pills!"

• Dki...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

For Opioid-Induced Constipation "I have been on oxycodone 30 mg X6 for 8 years, and the last 2-3 years started having major constipation. It was like passing a boulder. Terribly painful. I received samples of Movantik from my doctor and finally decided to try it once other remedies failed. After I swallowed the Movantik, I started searching for reviews and found all these people being put into immediate withdrawal. I was terrified. About an hour later, I was able to go to the bathroom. It emptied me completely. Months' worth of backup. I felt amazing. There was some cramping, and I was a little flushed, but that’s it. I woke up the next day feeling incredible. I feel awful for those that had a bad experience. I was one of the fortunate ones that it worked for."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

For Constipation, Drug Induced "After 3 years of constipation, I was given this drug. I live in the UK, and I will never use this drug again, it is wicked horrible. I have been in agony now for 47 hours, and no signs of cramps and pain going. I would rather have the constipation. If I had known the mess I would be in after cancer treatment, I would rather have died, it's that bad. I hope the doctors that recommend this treatment try one themselves. People and drug companies don't care about us, it's all about the money."