Naloxegol: the first orally administered, peripherally acting, mu opioid receptor antagonist, approved for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.

Abstract

Treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is becoming a relevant clinical challenge as most of the treatments demonstrated to be more effective than placebo in treating OIC have safety issues limiting a broad clinical application. Naloxegol is the first orally administered, peripherally acting, µ opioid receptor antagonist approved by the FDA and EMA specifically for the treatment of noncancer patients with OIC. This review summarizes the results of the studies regarding the effects of naloxegol in OIC. Pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated that naloxegol was able to inhibit gastrointestinal opioid effects while preserving central analgesic actions. Phase II and phase III studies in patients with noncancer OIC have confirmed the efficacy of naloxegol to inhibit OIC, and the most consistent efficacy was seen with the 25-mg dose once daily. Side effects were mainly gastrointestinal in origin (and usually transient and mild) and there were no signs of opioid withdrawal in the studies. Safety and tolerability were shown in a long-term safety study. Considering its efficacy, safety, route of administration and the limitations of most of the other available treatments, naloxegol has the potential to become the first-line treatment for noncancer patients with OIC.