Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Motility and Gut Wall Inflammation in Rodents: Analyses in a Standardized Model of Intestinal Manipulation
09:44

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Motility and Gut Wall Inflammation in Rodents: Analyses in a Standardized Model of Intestinal Manipulation

Published on: September 11, 2012

Alvimopan, a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, compared with placebo in postoperative ileus after

E R Viscusi1, S Goldstein, T Witkowski

  • 1Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5092, USA. eugene.viscusi@jefferson.edu

Surgical Endoscopy
|December 8, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Alvimopan accelerates gastrointestinal recovery after surgery. This peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist was well-tolerated in patients undergoing open laparotomy.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology
  • Surgical Recovery

Background:

  • Alvimopan is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist.
  • It is used to accelerate gastrointestinal recovery post-surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of alvimopan in accelerating gastrointestinal recovery.
  • To assess safety and tolerability of alvimopan in surgical patients.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized trial of patients undergoing open laparotomy (bowel resection or hysterectomy).
  • Patients received alvimopan (6 or 12 mg) or placebo orally before surgery and twice daily until discharge.
  • Primary endpoint: time to gastrointestinal (GI) recovery (GI-3). Secondary endpoints: GI-2 recovery and hospital discharge order written (DCO).

Main Results:

  • Alvimopan did not significantly accelerate GI-3 recovery before covariate adjustment.
  • After adjustment, both 6 mg and 12 mg doses significantly accelerated GI-3 recovery.
  • Alvimopan significantly accelerated time to GI-2 recovery and DCO for both doses.
  • Adverse events were similar across treatment groups.

Conclusions:

  • Alvimopan (6 or 12 mg) effectively accelerates gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing open laparotomy.
  • The drug demonstrated good tolerability in this patient population.

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