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Methylnaltrexone: Treatment for Opioid-Induced Constipation

Opioids have become the gold standard for treatment of severe pain in advanced disease, but adverse effects can affect the quality of life. Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction can lead to refractory constipation. Methylnaltrexone bromide is a peripherally acting mu antagonist and is indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness, when response to standard laxative therapy has been inefficacious. This pharmacology update will review the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of opioid-induced constipation, focused on methylnaltrexone as a novel treatment for refractory cases.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-17769
Date01 February 2011
CreatorsLicup, Nerissa, Baumrucker, Steven J.
PublisherDigital Commons @ East Tennessee State University
Source SetsEast Tennessee State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
SourceETSU Faculty Works

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