Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Oct 2013
EditorialPharmacologic treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
Opioids are potent analgesics for treating moderate to severe pain, but their use is associated with a number of adverse effects, especially opioid-induced constipation (OIC). If the centrally mediated analgesia of opioids could be separated from their peripherally mediated gastrointestinal effects, by a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, opioid-induced bowel dysfunction could be prevented or reversed. ⋯ This editorial contains a brief overview of other selected compounds to treat OIC. Other potential uses of peripherally acting opioid antagonist in clinical practice are also discussed.