Everyone is talking about the weird constipation and diarrhea ads that aired during the Super Bowl
It was somewhat surprising — among the sodas, and cars, and big name consumer goods brands — to see an ad about constipation airing during the Super Bowl this year. And then to see another referencing diarrhea!
But, yes, it did actually happen.
The first ad (above) promoted a prescription product to help tackle opioid-induced constipation (OIC). It was courtesy of Astra Zeneca.
OIC is no laughing matter and the ad was clearly designed to raise awareness about the affliction amongst the audience of more than 100 million people watching the game.
But those good intentions didn't stop the memes and mockery emerging on Twitter almost immediately after the ad aired:
Admit it- seeing an ad about constipation makes you wish you were seeing kids being killed off in commercials. #SB50 pic.twitter.com/GkfJds9sWd
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) February 8, 2016
Looking for a cure to YOUR opioid-induced constipation? #SB50 pic.twitter.com/nCuTvZwl6K
— Adweek (@Adweek) February 8, 2016
Me after that opioid constipation drug commercial. pic.twitter.com/C7xcwx80qE
— Jenny Dreadful (@MsJennyDreadful) February 8, 2016
did they just have a commercial for constipation...? #SB50 #SuperBowlCommercials pic.twitter.com/VJgcgnasyR
— stephen king (@yesiamtheauthor) February 8, 2016
"Hey ex-girlfriends, I got cast for a Super Bowl commercial..." Yep, opioid-induced constipation. #SuperTroll50 pic.twitter.com/rzXYXObMB0
— Beau Walsh (@BeauWalsh) February 8, 2016
these Super Bowl commercials are awful, like do I really want to watch ones about constipation relief ???
— Caitlin Willard (@caitlinwillard9) February 8, 2016
We thought this commercial was a joke buuuuut no it really is about constipation. #SB50 #commercials
— Rebecca (@roarrrbecca) February 8, 2016
For those wondering, #PuppyMonkeyBaby and I have the same agent.
— Opiod Dog (@OpiodDog) February 8, 2016
Then came an ad for Valeant's diarrhea relief Xifazan product, starring its brand mascot: A smiley pink intestine!
This ad was also complete with enough bowel movement references to put people off their guacamole on game day:
Constipation, diarrhea. This year's #AdBowl is more like #AdBowel.
— Andrew (@AndrewM_85) February 8, 2016
The commercials have been really really bad this year. Didn't need constipation, diarrhea and creepy animals. #SB50
— broncos_chick (@ChickBroncos) February 8, 2016
@FilbarRPG worst ads ever. Diarrhea and constipation! Seriously?
— Tim Bonner (@tpb278) February 8, 2016
This new Pixar movie about diarrhea looks HORRIBLE pic.twitter.com/teVwlD5dLB
— Matthew Naugle (@MattNaugle) February 8, 2016
Then, not in the same body area but still in the general gross medical ad department came Jublia in the fourth quarter, returning to the Super Bowl with an ad promoting its toe fungus cream. Lovely!
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