Promising medication counteracts constipation caused by opioid painkillers

(KU Leuven) Opioids -- strong morphine-based painkillers -- are widely prescribed to patients experiencing chronic severe pain. While these drugs are very effective for treating and managing pain, they have one particularly bothersome side effect: constipation. A new drug, called naloxegol, could bring relief. In stage 3 trials reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, KU Leuven and international researchers provide new evidence that the drug relieves constipation without dulling opioids' pain-relieving effects.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-07/kl-pmc071614.php

Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - July 16, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news