Methylnaltrexone oral/injection

Generic name: Methylnaltrexone (oral/injection)
Brand names: Relistor
Drug class: Peripheral opioid receptor antagonists

Usage of Methylnaltrexone oral/injection

Methylnaltrexone reduces constipation caused by using opioid medicine. Methylnaltrexone treats constipation without reducing the pain-relieving effects of the opioid.

Methylnaltrexone is given to adults who use opioid medicine to treat severe chronic pain that is not caused by cancer. Methylnaltrexone injection is also for use in adults who have advanced illness and are receiving palliative care (treatment to relieve suffering and improve quality of life during a serious illness).

Methylnaltrexone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Methylnaltrexone oral/injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methylnaltrexone may cause a perforation (a hole or tear) within your stomach or intestines. Stop using methylnaltrexone and get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain that gets worse or will not go away.

Methylnaltrexone may cause serious side effects. Stop using methylnaltrexone and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing diarrhea;

extreme dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out;

bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

nausea or vomiting that are new or worsening symptoms; or

symptoms of opioid medicine withdrawal--anxiety, sweating, chills, yawning, stomach pain, diarrhea.

Common side effects of methylnaltrexone may include:

stomach pain, gas, bloating;

mild nausea or diarrhea;

headache, muscle spasms;

dizziness, tremors, feeling anxious;

runny nose; or

chills, sweating, or hot flashes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Methylnaltrexone oral/injection

You should not use methylnaltrexone if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a stomach ulcer;

perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines;

kidney disease;

liver disease; or

colitis or other intestinal disorder such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, or Ogilvie's syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If you use methylnaltrexone while you are pregnant, your newborn baby could have withdrawal symptoms.

You should not breastfeed while using methylnaltrexone.

Methylnaltrexone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Methylnaltrexone oral/injection

Usual Adult Dose for Constipation - Drug Induced:

Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain:-Oral: 450 mg orally once a day in the morning-Parenteral: 12 mg suBCutaneously once a dayComments: -Prior to initiation, discontinue all maintenance laxative therapy; laxatives can be used as needed for suboptimal response after 3 days.-Patients should be within close proximity to a bathroom once this drug is administered. -Re-evaluate continued need for this drug when the opioid regimen is changed to avoid adverse reactions. Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Advanced Illness:Parenteral: Weight-based dosing: Administer subcutaneously every other day as needed, but no more frequently than 1 dose in a 24-hour period: Less than 38 kg: 0.15 mg/kg 38 kg to less than 62 kg: 8 mg (0.4 mL) 62 kg to 114 kg: 12 mg subcutaneously (0.6 mL)More than 114 kg: 0.15 mg/kg subcutaneously Comments: To determine injection volume for patients whose weight is less than 38 kg or more than 114 kg: multiply patient weight (kg) by 0.0075 and round up to the nearest 0.1 mLUses: -For the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain or advanced illness who are receiving palliative care, when the response to laxative therapy has not been sufficient.

Warnings

Methylnaltrexone may cause a perforation (a hole or tear) within your stomach or intestines. Stop using this medicine and get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain.

While using this medicine, you may have symptoms of opioid withdrawal, such as anxiety, sweating, chills, yawning, stomach pain, or diarrhea.

Stop using methylnaltrexone and call your doctor if you have severe or ongoing diarrhea.

What other drugs will affect Methylnaltrexone oral/injection

Other drugs may affect methylnaltrexone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.