Management of opioid-induced constipation
- 26 May 2016
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Mark Allen Group in British Journal of Nursing
- Vol. 25 (10), S4-S11
- https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2016.25.10.s4
Abstract
Up to 40% of patients taking opioids develop constipation. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) may limit the adequate dosing of opioids for pain relief and reduce quality of life. Health professionals must therefore inquire about bowel function in patients receiving opioids. The management of OIC includes carefully re-evaluating the necessity, type and dose of opioids at each visit. Lifestyle modification and alteration of aggravating factors, the use of simple laxatives and, when essential, the addition of newer laxatives or opioid antagonists (naloxone, naloxegol or methylnaltrexone) can be used to treat OIC. This review discusses the recent literature regarding the management of OIC and provides a rational approach to assessing and managing constipation in individuals receiving opioids.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Emerging treatments in neurogastroenterology: a multidisciplinary working group consensus statement on opioid‐induced constipationNeurogastroenterology & Motility, 2014
- Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Noncancer PainThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2014
- A Cautionary Tale of Oral NaloxoneJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2014
- American Gastroenterological Association Technical Review on ConstipationGastroenterology, 2013
- Use of opioid analgesics in the treatment of cancer pain: evidence-based recommendations from the EAPCThe Lancet Oncology, 2012
- Treating Constipation in Palliative CareAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 2011
- Effectiveness of antiepileptic or antidepressant drugs when added to opioids for cancer pain: systematic reviewPalliative Medicine, 2010
- Practice Guidelines for Chronic Pain ManagementAnesthesiology, 2010
- The Prevalence, Severity, and Impact of Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction: Results of a US and European Patient Survey (PROBE 1)Pain Medicine, 2009
- Psychological approaches to chronic pain management: part 1Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2006