Opioid-induced constipation

What is opioid-induced constipation?

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a serious and distressing form of constipation that is one of the most common side effects of opioid treatment. It is commonly experienced by patients in advanced stages of illness who are receiving treatment with opioids, such as cancer, HIV and Multiple Sclerosis patients.

How do opioids cause constipation?

Opioids bind to receptors in the gut, which can cause spasms and loss of coordination. This stops the gut working properly, slowing down movement in the bowel, causing constipation.

Effects of OIC

A difficult to manage condition, OIC can cause abdominal discomfort or pain, faecal impaction and obstruction in the bowels. This may cause additional problems including bloating, loss of appetite nausea and vomiting.
OIC can be helped by doing more exercise and changing your diet and is often treated with conventional laxatives. Some other methods of treatment, such as enemas and manual evacuation, can be distressing and extremely undignified for a patient.

Treatment Options

You can take steps to treat OIC by changing your diet, drinking more fluids and when appropriate, doing more exercise.

Other than these methods, the main types used to treat OIC are:

·Faecal softeners which lubricate faeces in the bowel making them easier to pass
·Osmotic laxatives which increase the amount of water in the gut to soften the contents leading to an easier movement
·Stimulant laxatives which encourage the muscles in the gut to push the contents along which can lead to a movement

Other medicines block the effects of opioids on the bowel to reverse opioid-induced constipation.

Your healthcare professional will advise on the most suitable treatment for you.