Naloxone SR Capsules in Patients With Opioid Induced Constipation
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
For many patients taking opioids for pain relief one of the most distressing side effects is
constipation. Naloxone is effective in the reversal of the effects of opioids and is used
following opioid overdose. If naloxone is given by mouth it would relieve the effects of
constipation but as it goes into the blood stream very quickly, it would also reverse the
effects of the opioid and therefore stop the pain relief. The aim of this study is to examine
a slow release formulation of naloxone to see if is can reduce constipation without reducing
the pain relieving effects of the opioid.