BACKGROUND Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) can be a debilitating side effect of opioid therapy and may result in increased medical costs. The published data on the economic burden of OIC among long-term opioid users are limited. OBJECTIVE To assess the economic burden of OIC in patients with noncancer pain in a managed care population in the United States. METHODS This retrospective study...

Ileus is defined as the functional inhibition of propulsive bowel activity, irrespective of pathologic mechanisms. It is commonly associated with long-term opioid use and results often in debilitating constipation. Postoperative ileus (POI) is the transient cessation of coordinated bowel motility after surgical intervention, which prevents effective transit of intestinal contents and/or toleran...

The endogenous opioid dynorphin A-(1-17) (Dyn A) has been implicated as a mediator of tissue damage after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and causes hindlimb paralysis when administered intrathecally. Motor impairment following intrathecal Dyn A is attenuated by antagonists of excitatory amino acids (EAAs); whether opioid receptors mediate such injury has been questioned. TSCI causes variou...

BACKGROUND The inclusion of naloxone with oxycodone in a fixed combination prolonged-release formulation (OXN PR) improves bowel function compared with oxycodone (Oxy) alone without compromising analgesic efficacy. In a recent 5-week, randomized, double-blind comparative trial of OXN PR and OxyPR, it could be shown that the beneficial properties of OXN PR extend to doses up to 160/80 mg. METH...