Opioid antagonists for prevention and treatment of opioid-induced gastrointestinal effects.
OBJECTIVE
The therapeutic action of opioid analgesics is compromised by peripheral adverse effects, among which constipation is the most disabling as laxatives often fail to provide satisfactory relief. This review highlights recent advances in the specific control of opioid-induced constipation by opioid receptor antagonists with limited systemic bioavailability or a peripherally restricted site of action.


RESULTS
The specific management of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction is currently based on three drug entities: oral alvimopan for the shortening of postoperative ileus associated with opioid-induced pain control after bowel resection, subcutaneous methylnaltrexone for the reduction of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness, and a fixed combination of oral prolonged-release naloxone with prolonged-release oxycodone for the treatment of noncancer and cancer pain. All three drug entities have been shown to attenuate opioid-induced motor stasis in the gut with a favorable adverse effect profile, while the analgesic effect of opioids remains unabated.


CONCLUSIONS
The availability of opioid receptor antagonists with restricted access to the central nervous system provides a novel opportunity to specifically control opioid-induced constipation and other peripheral adverse effects of opioid analgesics. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of this approach.
Holzer
Peter
P
Research Unit of Translational Neurogastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. peter.holzer@medunigraz.at
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001682:Biological Availability; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists