Toward Normal Bowel Function in a 5-Week Phase 2b Opioid-Induced Constipation Study, Opioid analgesics such as morphine continue to play a critical role in chronic cancer and non-cancer pain control.
Despite their effectiveness, opioids have significant drawbacks, notably the development of analgesic tolerance and physical dependence, sedation, respiratory depression and bowel dysfunction.
Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is common, affecting up to 80% of patients receiving opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. TD-1211 is an investigational, peripherally selective, mu-opioid receptor antagonist designed to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects of opioid therapy without affecting analgesia.
Safety and efficacy results, including the primary and key secondary endpoints, from a 5-week, Phase 2b study in chronic non-cancer pain OIC patients have been previously reported (see PAINWeek 2013 Poster #124).
As mu-opioid receptor antagonists can quickly reverse the effects of opioid agonists on gastrointestinal opioid receptors, demonstration of a sustained response on bowel movement frequency is necessary for a therapy intended for patients taking opioids chronically.
