Pain Medicine

Constipation a serious problem for cancer patients treated with opioids

Published in Cancer Weekly, July 26th, 2005

Results of a new literature review presented at 17th International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer, Geneva, show that the prevalence of constipation among cancer patients taking opioids is as high as 100% in some studies, even with laxative use.

Constipation can be a distressing side effect of the opioid analgesia so commonly given to patients with cancer-related pain. The new review looked at 25 studies from the medical literature that described the prevalence of constipation among cancer patients taking opioids. It found that even in those studies that reported laxative use, 13%-100% of patients had constipation. One study reviewed, which actively captured...

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Source: Cancer Weekly (2005-07-26)

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