New medicines to relieve opioid induced constipation
For those on chronic opioid therapy, constipation is often much more than an annoyance - it can radically change their lives. Today there are at least 3 drugs being studied, in trial, or in use that can help this problem, without stimulating the bowel.
Relistor is an injectable drug I blogged about a while back (see Treating Opioid side-effects with a new/old drug) that was recently put on the market to block opioid side effects like constipation. Injections are difficult, and acceptance of the drug seems to be slow - sadly, I know of no patients suffering chronic pain related to cancer or otherwise that have been offered this medicine by their doctors, and no doctors knew of it when approached by patients I knew who were interested in it. New oral preparations called ALKS 37 and NKTR-118 may be what it finally takes to get patients and doctors to sit up and take notice.
On October 27, 2009, the company behind the drug ALKS 37, Alkermes, announces the beginning of a Phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37 specifically for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
Like Relistor, the drug blocks opioids from the rest of the body. Since pain is actually a phenomenon that happens in the brain, pain relief needs only happen there. Until Relistor and AKS 37 patients had to dose their entire bodies to get the benefit of pain relief. AKS 37 is intended to allow patients to take their opioid pain relief and block the drugs' actions outside of the CNS. This first study is to see if AKS 37 works for constipation, but it will probably also block other peripheral side-effects as well, and I really look forward to keeping an eye on it to watch how it changes the lives of chronic pain patients!
Additionally, AstraZeneca reported that its phase II study data for NKTR-118 (a related drug with the same ability to block opiates from the rest of the body where it causes side effects) was in re: opioid induced constipation, and looked very favorable.
Do you take opioid pain relief? Are your communities talking about AKS 37 yet? Now would be a fabulous time to let them know they don't have to suffer in embarrassment or silence - there is help out there, and more on the way!
Opioids used to be prescribed for those who suffered diarrhea, so its actions of slowing down the digestive system can be helpful. Is opioid related constipation a problem for you or someone you love? Have you found it necessary to lower your opioid pain control in order to maintain bowel function, or are you one who seems to handle this side effect effortlessly?
Relistor is an injectable drug I blogged about a while back (see Treating Opioid side-effects with a new/old drug) that was recently put on the market to block opioid side effects like constipation. Injections are difficult, and acceptance of the drug seems to be slow - sadly, I know of no patients suffering chronic pain related to cancer or otherwise that have been offered this medicine by their doctors, and no doctors knew of it when approached by patients I knew who were interested in it. New oral preparations called ALKS 37 and NKTR-118 may be what it finally takes to get patients and doctors to sit up and take notice.
On October 27, 2009, the company behind the drug ALKS 37, Alkermes, announces the beginning of a Phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37 specifically for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
Like Relistor, the drug blocks opioids from the rest of the body. Since pain is actually a phenomenon that happens in the brain, pain relief needs only happen there. Until Relistor and AKS 37 patients had to dose their entire bodies to get the benefit of pain relief. AKS 37 is intended to allow patients to take their opioid pain relief and block the drugs' actions outside of the CNS. This first study is to see if AKS 37 works for constipation, but it will probably also block other peripheral side-effects as well, and I really look forward to keeping an eye on it to watch how it changes the lives of chronic pain patients!
Additionally, AstraZeneca reported that its phase II study data for NKTR-118 (a related drug with the same ability to block opiates from the rest of the body where it causes side effects) was in re: opioid induced constipation, and looked very favorable.
Do you take opioid pain relief? Are your communities talking about AKS 37 yet? Now would be a fabulous time to let them know they don't have to suffer in embarrassment or silence - there is help out there, and more on the way!
Opioids used to be prescribed for those who suffered diarrhea, so its actions of slowing down the digestive system can be helpful. Is opioid related constipation a problem for you or someone you love? Have you found it necessary to lower your opioid pain control in order to maintain bowel function, or are you one who seems to handle this side effect effortlessly?
Tags: alks 37, chronic pain, medication, migraine, nktr-118, opioid, pain, relistor, side effects
Add a Comment
© 2009 Created by Marie
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join this Ning Network