ABSTRACT
Opioid compounds, which are widely administered for a variety of medical indications, are associated with a number of side effects, especially opioid bowel dysfunction. Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction, often described as constipation, is found in 90 percent of patients treated with opioids1 and is a significant problem in 40 to 45 percent of patients with advanced cancer.2-4 Very often, opioid constipation is severe enough to limit opioid use and prevents achievement of the adequate dose used for pain therapy.4-6 Although this clinical problem has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of these patients, the issue has received insufficient attention in the past from the medical community.7
