Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone effectively reduces pain and constipation in elderly patients with chronic non-malignant pain

Abstract

Methods.– This study enrolled 1051 patients (n=196 elderly NP patients) with chronic moderate-to-severe non-malignant pain and constipation. Patients received OXNPR (up to 40mg oxycodone/20mg naloxone) twice daily for 2 months with visits at baseline (V0) and 14, 30 and 60 days (V1, V2, V3). Paracetamol 1000mg was allowed as rescue. Pain intensity was assessed on a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0 =no pain to 10=worst imaginable pain); bowel functionwasassessedusing thevalidatedBowel Function Index (BFI); treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. Results.– Results for the subgroup of elderly patients (≥75 years) withNParepresentedhere, andwere consistentwith results for the overall population. OXNPR treatment resulted in a clinically relevantdecrease inpain intensityandconstipationseverity.Meanpain intensity scoreswere 7.0, 4.5, 2.6 and 2.3, andmean BFI scoreswere 70.1, 49.5, 34.1 and 32.8 at V0, V1, V2 and V3. 75% of patients rated treatment effectiveness (PGIC) as “much/very much improved” at endpoint. A notable reduction in rescue medication and laxative use and good overall tolerability were also reported. Conclusion.– Oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release was well tolerated and effective in treating pain and constipation in elderly patients with neuropathic pain.