The attractiveness of opposites: agonists and antagonists

J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015 Mar;29(1):67-9. doi: 10.3109/15360288.2014.1003680. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

Abstract

Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction, of which constipation is the most common aspect, is a major limiting factor in the use of opioids for pain management. The availability of an oral, long-acting formulation of oxycodone and naloxone represents a highly significant development in pain management. The combination of an opioid analgesic with an opioid antagonist offers reliable pain control with a significant reduction in the burden of opioid-induced constipation.

Keywords: bowel; dysfunction; naloxone; opioid; quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Constipation / chemically induced
  • Constipation / prevention & control*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Naloxone / administration & dosage*
  • Naloxone / adverse effects
  • Naloxone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Oxycodone / administration & dosage*
  • Oxycodone / adverse effects
  • Oxycodone / therapeutic use
  • Pain / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • oxycodone naloxone combination
  • Naloxone
  • Oxycodone