Answer these questions to help start a conversation with your healthcare provider today. Check your gut
Opioid-induced constipation, or opioid-induced constipation, is a type of constipation you may develop as a result of taking opioid medication prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain.
Opioid pain medication can help relieve your pain but may have an undesired effect in the gut that causes constipation. This constipation, called opioid-induced constipation, happens when opioids attach to mu-opioid receptors in your bowel. This is the underlying cause of opioid-induced constipation and can make it difficult for you to have bowel movements. opioid-induced constipation can last the entire time you're taking opioid pain medication.
Opioid-induced constipation is different from other types of constipation that you might treat with OTC laxatives. OTC laxatives are typically used for the treatment of occasional constipation, and do not treat the underlying cause of opioid-induced constipation.
You should talk to your doctor if you’re taking opioid pain medication for long-lasting (chronic) pain and experiencing any of these symptoms:
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is a prescription medicine used to treat for constipation in adults that is caused by prescription pain medicines called opioids:
It is not known if Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is safe and effective in children.
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) helps to keep opioids from attaching to mu-opioid receptors in the gut. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) works differently from over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives—it is specifically designed to target the effect opioids have in the gut without impacting opioid pain relief in the central nervous system.
Tell your doctor if you experience any changes in your pain relief.
If you are taking Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets for OIC:
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets should be taken daily, as directed by your healthcare provider. Even if you do not feel constipated, do not make changes to your medication schedule without talking to your healthcare provider.
If you are taking Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection for OIC:
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection is injected under the skin of the upper arm, stomach-area (abdomen), or thigh. Do not inject at the same spot each time (rotate injection sites).
Stop taking Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) if you stop taking your prescription opioid pain medication. Tell your healthcare provider if your pain medication changes.
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) can work quickly. After taking a dose of Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets or injection, you may have a bowel movement within 4 hours. *†‡
In a clinical study of adult patients with advanced illness taking Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection, some patients had a bowel movement within 30 minutes.‡
In a clinical study, the most common side effects in adult patients with long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain taking Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets included stomach-area (abdomen) pain (14%), diarrhea (5%), headache (4%), swelling or feeling of fullness or pressure in your stomach (abdomen) (4%), vomiting (3%), sweating (3%), anxiety (2%), muscle spasms (2%), runny nose (2%), and chills (2%).
In a clinical study, the most common side effects of Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection in adult patients with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by cancer included stomach-area (abdomen) pain (21%), nausea (9%), diarrhea (6%), sweating (6%), hot flush (3%), tremor (1%), and chills (1%).
In clinical studies, the most common side effects of Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection in adult patients receiving treatment for their advanced illness included stomach-area (abdomen) pain (29%), gas (13%), nausea (12%), dizziness (7%), and diarrhea (6%).
Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) of the upper arm, stomach-area (abdomen), or thigh.
Do not inject at the same spot each time (rotate injection sites).
You must activate this savings card before using it by visiting www.relistor.com, calling 1-855-202-3719, or texting SaveNow to 24109.
Message and data rates may apply. The full terms and conditions can be viewed at relistor.copaysavingsprogram.com/sms-terms.
Patients without commercial insurance are not eligible. The RELISTOR Savings Program is not valid for any person eligible for reimbursement of prescriptions, in whole or in part, by any federal, state, or other governmental programs, including, but not limited to, Medicare (including Medicare Advantage and Part A, B, and D plans), Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Administration or Department of Defense health coverage, CHAMPUS, the Puerto Rico Government Health Insurance Plan, or any other federal or state health care programs. The RELISTOR Savings Program is only good in the USA at participating retail pharmacies. The RELISTOR Savings Program cannot be redeemed at other locations, including government subsidized clinics or facilities. The RELISTOR Savings Program is not valid where otherwise prohibited, taxed, or otherwise restricted. The RELISTOR Savings Program cannot be combined with other offers. The savings card has no cash value. No other purchase is necessary. The savings card is nontransferable. No substitutions are permitted. The savings card is not health insurance. Maximum benefits apply.
Please call 1-855-202-3719 for more information.
The out-of-pocket cost of RELISTOR can vary based on your commercial insurance coverage and pharmacy. The RELISTOR Savings Program is available for patients with commercial insurance, including commercially insured patients without coverage for RELISTOR. For eligible patients, Salix Pharmaceuticals will be responsible to cover your co-pay out-of-pocket expense for each eligible prescription fill using this savings card, maximum benefits and other restrictions apply.
Please see terms and conditions.
Please call 1-855-202-3719 for more information.
Every insurance plan is different. Check with your insurance plan to find out if you have coverage for RELISTOR.
RELISTOR® is a prescription medicine used to treat constipation in adults that is caused by prescription pain medicines called opioids.
It is not known if RELISTOR is safe and effective in children.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-321-4576
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for RELISTOR tablets and RELISTOR injection, including medication guide.
Indications - RELISTOR® is a prescription medicine used to treat constipation in adults that is caused by prescription pain medicines called opioids.
It is not known if RELISTOR is safe and effective in children.
Important Safety Information - Do not take Relistor if you have a bowel blockage (called an intestinal obstruction) or have a history of bowel blockage.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-321-4576
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for RELISTOR tablets and RELISTOR injection, including medication guide.
Do not take Relistor if you have a bowel blockage (called an intestinal obstruction) or have a history of bowel blockage.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-321-4576
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for RELISTOR tablets and RELISTOR injection, including medication guide.