Methylnaltrexone bromide

• Solution for injection 12mg/0.6ml (£21.05 = 0.6ml vial)

Indications

• Opioid-induced constipation in adult patients receiving palliative care, when response to other laxatives is inadequate

Dose

• By subcutaneous injection, for adults:
  • Body-weight up to 38kg, 150micrograms/kg once daily on alternate days
  • Body-weight 38–61kg, 8mg once daily on alternate days
  • Body-weight 62–114kg, 12mg once daily on alternate days
  • Body-weight 115kg and over, 150micrograms/kg once daily on alternate days
• The interval between administrations may be varied but not more than once a day

Notes

1. Treatment can result in the rapid onset of a bowel movement (i.e. within 30 to 60 minutes)
2. In palliative care patients, treatment is added to usual laxative therapy which may subsequently require review.
3. Consult Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for dosing adjustments in renally impaired patients.
4. The SPC states that methylnaltrexone bromide has not been studied in adult patients with advanced illness in clinical trials beyond 4 months.

Naloxegol

• Tablets 12.5mg, 25mg (£51.52 = 25mg daily)

Indications

• Naloxegol is recommended in accordance with NICE TA345 (July 2015) for the treatment of opioid induced constipation in adults whose constipation has not adequately responded to laxatives.
  • An inadequate response to laxatives is defined as opioid-induced constipation symptoms of at least moderate severity in at least 1 of the 4 stool symptom domains (that is, incomplete bowel movement, hard stools, straining or false alarms) while taking at least 1 laxative class for at least 4 days during the prior 2 weeks.

Dose

• 25mg once daily, to be taken in the morning
• Certain patients may require a dose reduction to 12.5mg daily; consult manufacturers SPC for further details.

Notes

1. Naloxegol should be used in accordance with NICE TA345 (July 2015)
2. Naloxegol should only be initiated in patients in whom opioids are effectively treating the pain.
3. For use in primary care following recommendation from a member of the palliative care team only. In all other indications, naloxegol should be restricted to secondary care use.
4. Patients should be advised to report severe, persistent or worsening gastro-intestinal effects (such as abdominal pain)

Naldemedine

• Tablets 200micrograms

Notes

1. NICE TA651: Naldemedine (Rizmoic) is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating opioid-induced constipation in adults who have had laxative treatment (September 2020)