Skip to main content

Opioids induced constipation..a treatment option


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lubiprostone (Amitiza, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc/Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc), the first oral treatment for opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic noncancer pain.
This was a Supplemental New Drug Application that received a priority review. This is the third indication for this drug, which is already approved in the United States for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults, also at a dose of 24 μg twice daily, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women 18 years of age and older, at a dose of 8 μg twice daily.
Approval was based on results from 12-week phase 3 studies in patients taking opioids, including morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl, for chronic noncancer pain, and a long-term open-label safety study, a release from the companies notes. Two of the phase 3 studies met the overall efficacy endpoint, although a third study did not, they add.
The effectiveness of this drug in patients taking diphenylheptane opioids, such as methadone, hasn't been established, the release points out, and concomitant use of these opioids may interfere with its effectiveness.
Opioid-induced constipation is a common adverse effect of long-term opioid use because the binding of opioids to peripheral opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract results in absorption of electrolytes, such as chloride, with a subsequent reduction in small intestinal fluid. Activation of enteric opioid receptors also results in abnormal GI motility. Constipation occurs commonly in patients receiving opioids and can be severe enough to cause discontinuation of therapy.
Lubiprostone is a specific activator of CIC-2 chloride channels in the intestinal epithelium and bypasses the antisecretory action of opiates by activation of apical CIC-2 channels.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters

Clinical experience with power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters in intensive care patients     Introduction In intensive care units (ICU), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) may be an alternative option to standard central venous catheters, particularly in patients with coagulation disorders or at high risk for infection. Some limits of PICCs (such as low flow rates) may be overcome by the use of power-injectable catheters . Method We have retrospectively reviewed all the power injectable PICCs inserted in adult and pediatric patients in the ICU during a 12-month period, focusing on the rate of complications at insertion and during maintenance. Results We have collected 89 power injectable PICCs (in adults and in children), both multiple and single lumen. All insertions were successful. There were no major complications at insertion and no episodes of catheter-related blood stream infection. Non-infective complications ...
1 comment
Read more

Things to Avoid in Anesthesia for Pregnant with Pulmonary hypertension

Anesthesia for Pregnant woman with Pulmonary Hypertension is a real challenge for anesthesiologist. It is very crucial to remember the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in pregnant women and to avoid some practices that will worsen the cardiac status. 1-Avoid single shot spinal anesthesia. Some authorities consider pulmonary hypertension as absolute contraindication for single shot spinal anesthesia specially in patients with NYHA III ,IV. Spinal anesthesia causes major hemodynamic instability(decrease SVR, decrease VR, decrease in CO) The preferred neuroaxial techniques are (epidural anesthesia and CSE with minimal spinal dose) 2-Avoid PAC. Pulmonary Artery catheters insertion may lead to pulmonary artery rupture or thrombosis. TEE is better cardiac monitor/Arteial line is mandatory. 3-Avoid Nitrous oxide in gas mixture.N2O increase the PVR 4-If MV to be started, avoid High TV and PEEP 5-Avoid Oxytocin Boluses, or rapid administration of Pitocin. Oxytocin causes ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lumbar and thoracic epidural in Pediatrics-Technical aspect

The midline approach is most commonly used. The ligamentum   flavum is considerably thinner and less dense in infants than in older children and adults. This makes recognition of engagement in the ligament more difficult and requires both extra care and slower, more deliberate passage of the needle to avoid subarachnoid puncture. The angle of approach to the epidural space is slightly more perpendicular to the plane of the back than in older children and adults, owing to the orientation of the spinous   processes in infants and small children. The loss of resistance technique should be used, but only with saline, not air. There are several reports of venous air embolism in infants and children when air was used to test for loss of resistance Use a short (5 cm) 18-gauge Tuohy needle and a 20- or 21-gauge catheter in infants and children. Epidural kits specifically for infants and children are available Maximum of 0.4 mg/kg/hr of bupivacaine after the initial block is estab...
Post a Comment
Read more