Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and Safety of Methylnaltrexone for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Placebo Crossover Analysis.
In patients with chronic noncancer pain, subcutaneous methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) was examined in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed by an open-label extension (OLE). This study examined the reproducibility of RCT findings by analyzing data from placebo-treated patients who crossed over to methylnaltrexone. ⋯ Findings during placebo treatment further establish the profile of OIC and support that little or no gastrointestinal tolerance develops across time. Findings under open-label conditions established the reproducibility and durability of methylnaltrexone for OIC.