http://goo.gl/ZhhnFM
Pain medicines often lead to constipation for patients seeking long-term pain relief, but an investigational once-daily drug may help, according to study led by the University of Michigan Health System.
Globally, approximately 28 million to 35 million, or nearly half, of patients taking opioids for long-term pain develop constipation. Laxatives provide sub-optimal relief.
The results of two pivotal Phase 3 studies - KODIAC-4 and KODIAC-5 of naloxegol, an investigational treatment for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) - were published online first in theNew England Journal of Medicine.
A 25 mg dose of the investigational drug naloxegol safely increased bowel movements among opioid-induced constipation sufferers, compared to a placebo, and the effects were maintained over a 12-week treatment period.