Wirz, S., Nadstawek, J., Elsen, C., Junker, U., & Wartenberg, H.C. (2012). Laxative management in ambulatory cancer patients on opioid therapy: A prospective, open-label investigation of polyethylene glycol, sodium picosulphate and lactulose. European Journal of Cancer Care, 21, 131–140.
To determine whether variable effectiveness exists in the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium picosulphate (SPS), and lactulose in ambulatory outpatients with cancer on opioid therapy.
Eligible patients were assigned to three treatment groups. A fourth group comprised patients who had discontinued laxative therapy (NL). Laxative groups were treated for a minimum of 28 days prior to data collection with mu agonist and assigned laxative. Prescribers were free to choose the laxative. The standard doses were PEG 13.1 g per day, SPS 10 mg per day, and lactulose 10 g per day. An increase in dose was allowed if participants were directed to do so by the prescriber.
During the five-day data collection phase, investigators assessed participants daily on mobility and pain assessment. Constipation was assessed by documentation of defecation rates, number of participants with lack of bowel movement for more than 72 hours, subjective intensity of constipation using a numeric scale, and consumption of laxatives.
Average defecation rate of all patients was calculated as defecations per patient per five days. The number of patients reporting nausea or emesis also was documented. The daily doses of the original opioid (oral morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, tramadol, or transdermal fentanyl) were transferred into morphine equivalent doses for uniform comparison.
This was a controlled, prospective, open-label study.
In this prospective study, PEG was more frequently prescribed than SPS and lactulose. However, the data did not prove the superiority of PEG over SPS and lactulose for the management of constipation in ambulatory patients with cancer on opioid therapy.
No recommendation can be made.