Naldemedine: A Review in Opioid-Induced Constipation

Drugs. 2019 Jul;79(11):1241-1247. doi: 10.1007/s40265-019-01160-7.

Abstract

Naldemedine [Symproic® (Japan; USA); Rizmoic® (EU)], an orally available peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA), is approved in several countries for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. In phase III trials, naldemedine was more effective than placebo at increasing the frequency of bowel movements in patients with constipation induced by opioid treatment for cancer pain or chronic non-cancer pain. Naldemedine was also associated with improvements in patient-rated constipation-related symptoms and quality of life. Naldemedine was generally well tolerated, including over the longer term. Because naldemedine specifically targets opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, it does not cause opioid withdrawal symptoms or interfere with centrally mediated opioid analgesia. Consistent with its mechanism of action, the most commonly reported adverse events were GI in nature. In conclusion, current data indicate that naldemedine is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment option for opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer pain or chronic non-cancer pain, with the convenience of once-daily oral dosing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects*
  • Cancer Pain / drug therapy
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Constipation / chemically induced
  • Constipation / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Naltrexone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • naldemedine
  • Naltrexone