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Constipation as a side effect of opioids
1Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, IL.
Purpose/Objectives:
To describe the phenomenon of opioid-induced constipation and its treatment.
Data Sources:
Published books and journal articles; commercial pharmacologic information.
Data Synthesis:
Patients receiving opioid analgesia are at risk for constipation and its complications. A number of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are available to prevent and treat this problem.
Conclusions:
Discomfort from this opioid side effect can be particularly distressing to patients with cancer who already suffer from pain. Accurate assessment and individualized interventions are needed.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Collaboration with physicians to determine appropriate drug or nondrug interventions and patient and family education regarding the problem, preventive action, and appropriate treatment methods.