Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 18, 2023
Reduction in constipation and laxative requirements following opioid rotation to methadone: a report of four cases
1Palliative Care Program, Grey Nuns Community Health Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract:
Constipation is a common symptom in cancer patients, especially in those who are receiving opioid analgesics for pain. Although several articles have recently examined constipation with respect to causation and treatment, little research has been done to elucidate the effects of different opioids on the bowel. Recent research has found that laxative doses may be lower in patients using methadone as an analgesic, but changes in constipation were not measured. We report here on four cases in which patients had improvement in constipation and decreased laxative requirements following opioid rotation to methadone.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...