Amitiza for opiate constipation

[cj]

I convinced my sub doctor to script me this after hearing it was undergoing clinical trials to treat opiate constipation. After some looking I see that the study is completed but I cant seem to find the results on the net. Im not the most scientifically inclined individual so im not sure if I could interpret the study anyway. If someone could help me find the results and or interpret them for me I would be greatly thankful. My personal clinical trial has been going well except for some nasty side effects but hell thats beetter then not shitting.

PS forgot is this stuff addicting like laxatives are?

 

[dokomo]

Amitiza is the brand name for lubiprostone.

Here is a summary from the abstract of one of the clinical studies for this drug:

Results: Morphine suppressed basal Isc. Lubiprostone reversed morphine suppression of basal Isc. Lubiprostone, applied to the mucosa in concentrations ranging from 3 nM to 30 μM, evoked increases in Isc in concentration-dependent manner when applied to the mucosal side of muscle-stripped preparations. Blockade of enteric nerves did not change stimulation of Isc by lubiprostone. Removal of chloride or application of bumetanide or NPPB suppressed or abolished responses to lubiprostone. Antagonists acting at CFTR channels and prostaglandin EP(4) receptors, but not at E(1), EP(1-3) receptors, partially suppressed stimulation of Isc by lubiprostone.
Conclusions: Antisecretory action of morphine results from suppression of excitability of secretomotor neurons in the enteric nervous system. Lubiprostone, which does not affect enteric neurons directly, bypasses the action of morphine by directly opening mucosal chloride channels.

As the summary says, it essentially just increases chloride secretions, effectively counteracting some of the inhibitory effects of opioids in the GI tract.

Its also worth noting that there does not appear to be any dependence or discontinuation syndrome with this medication. It looks like a promising treatment for opioid-induced constipation

 

[cj]

Wow I gotta say so far so good I dont wanna get my hopes up too high but I think this med will make my quality if life soo much higher.

 

[muvolution]

I'd like to hear more about it. You got it scripted for you? And it just finished trials, or is it out, or are you in a trial?

This sounds like something that would improve my quality of life so much.

 

[cj]

Well a doctor at the local walk in the box let me try a free sample when I came to her in major distress. It worked so well that I convinced my suboxone doctor to prescribe it even though he had never heard of it. Its on the market right now its expensive though it was 75 dollars with insurance. I know what you mean about quality of life I was really considering quitting sub due to the constant constipation.

 

[Jams5963]

I work at a very specialized compounding practice. We make a lot of amitiza solutions for patients, so it is an available drug after passing clinical trials. Recently I decided to give it a try since I also need something like this to improve my quality of life. Today is the first day of trying it so I'll post more when I have noticed the effects and if it is worth it compared to other types of laxatives (always different types in combination) that I use.

It's also helpful to know that there are other forms of laxatives that do not cause dependency such as the osmotic laxitives (PEG, or miralax) and also fiber tablets. They are definitely good to use in combination with a senna/docusate tablet or gelcap preparation. Out of all of the laxatives I have mentioned, only senna and amitiza work to counter the inhibition of specific muscles, however using them in combination (ie. docusate -- stool softener) definitely helps those drugs do their job.

 

[euphoria]

I don't have any experience with this medication, but I will link you to this thread in case you need some opiate constipation related laughs

I just gave birth

it's a classic.

 

[addictivepersona]

^ Thanks for the link, firefi--euphoria. Quite humorous. :D

 

[euphoria]

mehehehe