Oral Prolonged-Release Oxycodone/Naloxone for Managing Pain and Opioid-Induced Constipation: A Review of the Evidence.

Background: Opioids provide effective relief from moderate-to-severe pain and should be prescribed as part of a multifaceted approach to pain management when other treatments have failed. Fixed-dose oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets (OXN PR) were designed to address the opioid class effect of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) by combining the analgesic efficacy of oxycodone with the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, which has negligible systemic availability when administered orally. This formulation has abuse-deterrent properties, since systemic exposure to naloxone by parenteral administration would antagonize the euphoric effects of oxycodone.

Abdominal pain, cramping or discomfort impairs quality of life in women: An internet-based observational pilot study focussing on impact of treatment.

 Abdominal pain, cramping, and discomfort (APCD) are experienced by up to 30 % of adults in Europe.  To assess the impact of APCD on quality of life (QoL) and to investigate the effectiveness, tolerability, and impact on QoL of hyoscine butylbromide (HBB, Buscopan) compared with STW 5 (Iberogast) or analgesics in women with APCD.  An internet-based observational pilot study was conducted in Germany in women who had predominantly used HBB, STW 5, or analgesics (n = 240 per treatment) to treat APCD.

Characteristics of acute pain attacks in patients with irritable bowel syndrome meeting Rome III criteria.

Objectives: An international multicenter, prospective, non-interventional, 2-month study characterized acute pain attacks in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Adult patients meeting the Rome III IBS diagnostic criteria with a history of ≥ 3 pain attacks per month participated in a survey that captured daily and episodic information regarding IBS symptoms and pain attacks for 2 months. Acute pain attacks were defined as a sudden onset or increase in the intensity of IBS abdominal pain with a minimum intensity of 4 (0-10 scale).

Oral bisacodyl is effective and well-tolerated in patients with chronic constipation.

Background & Aims: Although stimulant laxatives have been used for many years to treat patients with constipation, their clinical value has been questioned, and there have been few high-quality trials to assess their efficacy. We tested the efficacy and safety of 4 weeks of treatment with oral bisacodyl tablets in patients with chronic constipation, defined by Rome III criteria.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 27 centers in the United Kingdom.