title: Opioid-induced constipation in intensive care patients: relief in sight?
abstract: Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complication associated with opioid therapy in chronic pain patients, and also frequently occurs in sedated intensive care unit patients. Conventional therapy may not provide sufficient relief from constipation, which can be severe enough to limit opioid use or the dose. In a recent study on terminally ill patients suffering from laxative-resistant opioid-induced constipation, Thomas and colleagues demonstrated subcutaneous methylnaltrexone to rapidly induce defecation. This appealing result might also have favourable prospects for intensive care patients, as their outcome is often codetermined by recovery of bowel functioning.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conzen
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists