title: The 'mystery' of opioid-induced diarrhea.
abstract: Bowel dysfunction, mainly constipation, is a well-known and anticipated side effect of opioids. The physician prescribing an opioid frequently confronts the challenge of preventing and treating bowel dysfunction. Different strategies have emerged for managing opioid-induced constipation. These strategies include physical activity, maintaining adequate fluid intake, adhering to regular daily bowel habits, using laxatives and other anticonstipation medications and, recently, using a peripheral opioid antagonist, either as a separate drug or in the form of an opioid agonistantagonist combination pill. What options exist for the physician when a patient receiving opioids complains of diarrhea, cramps and bloating, rather than the expected constipation? The present article describes a possible cause of opioid-induced diarrhea and strategies for management.
authors.affiliation: Center for Pain Medicine, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Silviu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bril
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoham
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marcus
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007785:Lactose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D010098:Oxycodone; D007785:Lactose