Naloxegol for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Noncancer Pain

In two double blind trials involving nearly 1400 pts being treated with opiods for non-cancer pain and experiencing constipation, oral naloxegol was compared to placebo with the primary outcome being spontaneous bowel activity.  Naloxegol was superior to placebo overall and in the subgroup of patients who had failed to respond to laxatives.  Pain scores did not differ, indicating that the oral opiod receptor antagonist did not interfere with pain management.