Opioid Constipation Risks Vary by Drug, Study Finds

New research reveals that specific opioid medications and dosages significantly influence the likelihood of severe constipation. This study suggests that some opioids carry a higher risk than others, offering crucial insights for tailoring pain management strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Drug-Specific Constipation Risks

A recent study has found that the likelihood of severe constipation varies substantially depending on the specific opioid administered. Patients who received morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl, or a combination of opioids, exhibited a greater risk of constipation compared to those on codeine. Conversely, tramadol was linked to a reduced risk.

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“Opioids, as a class of medications, are well known to be associated with constipation…”

—Person Name, Title

About 20% of patients taking opioids experience constipation, highlighting the need for effective management strategies (NIH, 2024).

Dose and Implications

The study also demonstrated that patients taking more than 50 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day were at increased risk of severe constipation. This finding emphasizes the significance of cautious opioid dosing to balance pain management with minimizing adverse effects.

These findings call for healthcare professionals to carefully consider both the type and dosage of opioids when prescribing pain relief, aiming to improve patient well-being.