Lowenstein, O., Leyendecker, P., Hopp, M., Schutter, U., Rogers, P.D., Uhl, R., . . . Reimer, K. (2009). Combined prolonged-release oxycodone and naloxone improves bowel function in patients receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe non-malignant chronic pain: A randomised controlled trial. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 10, 531-543.
To show the addition of naloxone improves constipation symptoms in patients with non-malignant pain receiving high-dose oxycodone prolonged release (PR).
Patients were randomized to receive either oxycodone PR and naloxone PR or oxycodone PR plus matched oxycodone PR/naloxone placebo. Patients had oxycodone PR titrated to an effective analgesic dose over a 7- to 28-day period and were converted to the study laxative, bisacodyl. Oxycodone immediate release was used as pain rescue medication. Patients were eligible to participate in a 52-week open-label extension. Mean pain over the past 24 hours and bowel function were measured at each study visit and in patient diaries on a daily basis.
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study with an extension phase.
Oxycodone PR/naloxone PR was superior to oxycodone PR at improving bowel function and symptoms of constipation. That improvement was achieved without affecting the analgesic efficacy of the oxycodone component.
The combination of oxycodone PR/naloxone PR in patients with cancer warrants investigation to determine potential benefits in reducing opioid-induced constipation in this population.