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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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
Novel opioid antagonists for opioid-induced bowel dysfunction and postoperative ileus
Ron Neyens1, Kenneth C Jackson
1University of Florida Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Department of Pharmacy, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy
|September 12, 2007
Summary
Methylnaltrexone and alvimopan offer new hope for managing opioid-induced bowel dysfunction and preventing postoperative ileus by reversing opioid-related gastrointestinal transit delays.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD) and postoperative ileus (POI) are common complications.
- Current management strategies for these conditions are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical trials and potential applications of methylnaltrexone and alvimopan.
- To provide insight into the use of these agents for patients on opioid analgesia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published clinical trials.
- Analysis of prokinetic properties and effects on gastrointestinal transit.
Main Results:
- Methylnaltrexone and alvimopan show promising prokinetic effects.
- These agents appear capable of reversing opioid-induced delays in gastrointestinal transit.
Conclusions:
- Methylnaltrexone and alvimopan represent a new class of therapeutic agents.
- These compounds may significantly impact the treatment of OBD and POI.
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