Subcutaneous
methylnaltrexone (Relistor) rapidly induce laxation in patients with
opioid-induced constipation. The major advantage is - the treatment usually does
not affect central analgesia or precipitate opioid withdrawal. It cannot cross
the blood–brain barrier, and so has antagonist effects throughout the body,
counteracting effects such as itching and constipation, but without affecting
opioid effects in the brain such as analgesia.
Reference:
Jay Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., Sloan Karver, M.D., Gail Austin
Cooney, M.D., Bruce H. Chamberlain, M.D., Charles Kevin Watt, D.O., Neal E.
Slatkin, M.D., Nancy Stambler, M.S., Alton B. Kremer, M.D., Ph.D., and Robert J.
Israel, M.D. - Methylnaltrexone for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Advanced
Illness - N Engl J Med 2008; 358:2332-2343 - May 29, 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment