Targin®: An effective opiate analgesia with minimal gastrointestinal side effects-An observational study

To examine the role of Targin® (oral oxycodone:naloxone combination) in the perioperative setting.

A single center prospective observational pilot study at a regional hospital.

Thirty-eight eligible patients undergoing major general surgical operations were recruited. Thirty-two patients completed the study.

Participants were given Targin twice daily from day 2 post-operatively with twice daily measures of pain scores, gut function, and mobility.

The primary end points were analgesic efficacy and the rate of ileus. Secondary end points were gastrointestinal (GI) recovery and the need for opioid requirement on discharge, at 1 week and 1 month.

Average pain score over 5 days at rest was one and on movement was four out of 10. All patients mobilized to a chair by day 3. Twenty-six participants (81.3 percent) experienced nausea at some point during the study, and four participants (12.5 percent) were diagnosed with a post-operative ileus (POI). There was no serious adverse event reported. Only two patients were on opioids at 1-month discharge. This was due to them having Orthopaedic surgery not related to this study.