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.
Naloxone has been used for many years as an IV or IM injection for the reversal of opioid effects (following opioid overdose) and has been evaluated as an oral formulation to manage opioid-induced constipation. Immediate release oral naloxone preparations have however led to reversal of opioid effects and withdrawal. This has initiated the development of prolonged (slow release) naloxone preparations which prevent the systemic levels of naloxone reaching levels where the central opioid effects may be reversed. Naloxone has a high first pass metabolism (98%) and short half life (\~1hr). The objectives of this trial are to identify the optimum dosage regime of Naloxone SR capsules based on tolerability level, to improve spontaneous bowel movement frequency, and relieve GI symptoms, in patients suffering with opioid induced constipation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
40
Schmerzzentrum Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Schmerzzentrum Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany
Gemeinschaftspraxis Tamm-Albert-Schroter-Uhmann
Hanover, Germany
Gemeinschaftspraxis Loewenstein-Hesselbarth
Mainz, Germany
Regionales Schmerzzentrum Wuppertal
Wuppertal, Germany
St Jame's Hospital Leeds
Leeds, United Kingdom
Norfolk & Norwich Hospital
Norwich, United Kingdom
Department of Pain Management, York Hospital
York, United Kingdom
Incidence and Severity of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events on Single Dosing.
Incidence and severity of treatment emergent adverse events on single dosing.
Time frame: 3 weeks
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