A visitor to the IBS discussion forum recently posted a question about Amitiza (lubiprostone). She stated that her doctor and the bottle both recommended that the medication be taken with meals. She was wondering if that was to prevent side effects, such as nausea, or if the recommendation had something to do with the way that the medication works. In one of those weird life coincidences, the study that I just blogged about regarding linaclotide, an up-and-coming medication for constipation, mentioned that Amitiza has a 29% incidence of nausea as a side effect. This came as a surprise to me - this is a very high percentage. Unfortunately, right now Amitiza is the only kid on the block in terms of prescription medication for constipation, so I guess you have to take the good with the bad. If you are on Amitiza, I would love to know if you experience nausea or if you are able to tolerate the medication without a problem. Please let me know by either leaving a comment here or joining the discussion on the IBS discussion forum.
Essential Reading:
Source:Johnston, J. et.al. "Pilot Study on the Effect of Linaclotide in Patients With Chronic Constipation" American Journal of Gastroenterology 2009 104:125-132.
My doctor gave my a whole bunch of samples of that stuff. The first two times I took it I was so
nauseous that I vomited violently. After that I did brave it again because I was so constipated and its like my body got use to it or something and I only felt a little nausea. Now I take it before bed so I can sleep through those uncomfortable feelings.
Yes, Amit… makes me feel very nauseated, dizzy, tired,& always gives me a very bad headache. I’ve been using it for more than a year & for me the symptoms persist. Why I keep using it? Because that is the only thing that works for me for cronic constipation. Ive tried many different products over the last 20 years finally something works! In fact im only 39 before using amitiza theyve removed polyps. I just had a colonoscopy 1 month ago guess what no polyps! But I have just been diagnosed with a cyst in my thyroid that can turn to cancer. Could this be due to the use of amiti…Ive never suffered from sore throat after the use of the Ami.. I always have a sore throat. Any one out there with the same issue?
Wow – what a shame that a medication that helps one thing causes so much other discomfort!
I have been taking Amitiza 2x daily for a few months now. The drug works very well, but like with everything else in life, nothing good comes for free!
Here are my side effects:
Within one hour, I feel nausea. Its fairly mild, but I definitely don’t feel like eating. At the same time, my chest starts to tighten. When I started taking this med, I was sa smoker. Smoking was IMPOSSIBLE for the first hour thereafter as I wouldn’t have been able to breath.
Within 90 minutes, I start to get kind of sleepy and have hayfever symptoms. Also, the chest tightening starts to relent a little bit. I try to relax during this time. For me, as soon as the chest-tightening starts to loosen up, I know it won’t be long until I’m in the bathroom.
Within 2 hours, the meds have worked and I’ve spent a good 10 minutes in the bathroom.
I take TWO 24 MCG treatments a day. If you take less, your symptoms may not be as severe but I still wouldn’t take it on my way out the door to work!
I have been on amitiza for about 2 months now, and it has worked like a charm. I only take 2 8mg tabs per day, but do have persitent nausea. For me however, it is worth the side effect.
I took my first pill this morning, as indicated “with food.” Well, within 30 minutes I was so nauseous and had a dull headache. I had to drive to work and remain in this state until about 1 p.m., when I started to feel a bit better. Do you take Amitiza before or after you eat? When I called my doctor’s office, I was told I had to “eat” and not just an egg and piece of toast. I haven’t been able to eat much lately, and the thought of food is enough to make me nauseous. I told the office I’m not going to take the pill again, the side effects aren’t worth it, and I was urged to try it again, only this time about 11 a.m. with a sandwich and an apple. I don’t know what to do. And, then I think, my insurance won’t cover Amitiza, and I would have to pay $250/mo. out of my own pocket, so why take the sample anyway? I’m so frustrated.
I just discovered this post and have been on Amitiza pretty much since it was released. It’s been quite a while, but I never realized you’re supposed to take it with food. I haven’t (or no longer) experience nausea.
THANKS ALL FOR THE INFORMATION. I HAVE BEEN ON AMITIZA FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS AND WITH STOOL SOFTENER; THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL. I TOO HAVE UPSET STOMACH AND HEADACHE. MY DOCTOR IS TRYING PROMETHAZINE TO HELP THE NAUSEA AND IT DOSE TO HELP. BUT THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE PERSISTANT BUT WITH THE GOOD COMES THE BAD.
I started out on 2 24mcg pills a day with food and all I did was vomit. My doctor had me try 2 8mcg pills a day and I had little to no nausea, but no relief of constipation. I am now taking 1 24mcg daily, but still no relief of constipation. It also, with insurance, still costs so much and I wonder if it is worth it for me to continue to take it.
Similar experiences here — for me, it was prescribed to be taken twice a day, so I take it in the a.m. and p.m. If I don’t take it with food, I regret it — the queasiness is insidious, creeping up on me until I realize I feel downright yucky. I find that if it is taken just before I eat, I have no side effects. If I take it within an hour of going to bed, the queasy feelings keep me awake until I go drink some warm milk and honey. These feelings tend to subside with food or the passage of time, and like many others who have commented, I feel its benefits outweigh its side effects.
I take amitiza and tamoxifen and wasn’t sure which was causing my symptoms but now I believe it must be amitiza. If I don’t take it I stay constipated though so I guess I will have to learn to live with the side effects. I get extremely nauseated with no appetite. I have zofran prescribed for nausea after radiation and it helps but not perfect.
I took Amitiza a about a hour ago. I thought I was going to be sick but was able to overcome. I am starting to feel a little better. I usally tolerate medications well. Not this stuff.
I have been on Amitiza 24 mcg for about 3 months now. In the beginning I was very nauseated after taking it and felt bloated and sick to my stomach for a good hour after the medication. I didn’t take it with much food, which may be the reason. I used to have to take the med and then lay down for an hour. Now my body seems to have gotten used to it. I only get nauseated every now and then w/ it. It has helped tremendously!!! I take one pill in the AM and one at night, always at the same times.. I usually am able to have a BM about an hour after taking it in the AM. Sometimes normal, sometimes diarrhea.. But it has stopped my bloating completely and my stomach doesn’t ache like it used to. I have lost about 10 lbs since starting this medication and I’m wondering if it has any bad effects of long term use? or if it deprives your body of certain nutrients? Maybe the weight loss was due to the fact that I was always constipated.. build up ? Idk.. But, over all …. I love this medication! I have tried so much over the past year and this is the first thing that has worked. They did start me out on 8 mcg but that did nothing for me.
I have been on Amitiza for over a year. I have not experienced nausea from the meds but diarrhea especially if I take twice a day as prescribed. It works for constipation but the diarrhea is bothersome.
Today is my fourth day on Amitiza. Each day it has made me feel light headed and kind of weak, also nauseated at times. Today though I am vomiting. I am hoping to get used to it because I can not quit taking it. If I do I will not go to the bathroom at all. Once a week is good for me. So I keep telling myself it is worth it and maybe I will get used to it.
well it makes me crap, but makes me feel like crap too. I just started taking it this weekend and I will say I have to take it at night after supper because I know I cant function like this during the day. So yeah the pill makes you poop but I’m not sure its something I want to try for long term. So I’ll stick to my fiber cereal, maybe a little Miralax here and there but I have heart problems and I’m only 33, so not sure if these doctors are just giving this out to help money making companies, and remember zelnorm? that big boy made a mess of peolples hearts and got yanked from the market,, so I say pray and use common sense!