advise patients taking opioid analgesics how to prevent and treat constipation

September 1999

It's extremely important to advise patients taking opioid analgesics how to prevent and treat constipation.

Constipation can occur in as few as 3 to 5 days...especially in patients who are inactive after surgery, an accident, etc.

Stimulant laxatives are usually needed to counteract the decrease in GI motility caused by opioids.

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Table of Contents

whether to give meningococcal vaccine to college students
their new sleeping pill, Sonata
new antidepressant called Vestra (reboxetine)
Neurology & Pain new option for treating postherpetic neuralgia
Neurology & Pain advise patients taking opioid analgesics how to prevent and treat constipation
Cholesterol RAISING low HDL cholesterol prevents MI and stroke
St. John's wort may increase the risk of cataracts
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Renal & Urology drug that can change urine color
Lice Ovide lotion for head lice
Hematology & Oncology lycopene might reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Pediatrics giving kids stimulants for attention deficit disorder DOESN'T increase their risk of drug abuse later on
Pediatrics encourage more parents to use infant formulas WITH IRON
Gastroenterology Aciphex (rabeprazole), a new proton pump inhibitor
Women's Health topical progesterone cream (Pro-Gest) helps reduce hot flashes