Frequently Asked Questions
Key Things You
Need To Know
Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)
Opioid-induced constipation, or OIC, is a type of constipation you may develop as a result of taking opioid medication prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain.
Opioid-induced constipation, or OIC, 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 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 target the underlying cause of OIC.
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 target the underlying cause of OIC.
You should talk to your doctor if you’re taking opioid pain medication for long-lasting (chronic) pain and experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Reduced frequency of bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week in clinical trials)
- Needing to push harder during a bowel movement
- Dry, hard stools
- Sense of incomplete emptying of your bowels
You should talk to your doctor if you’re taking opioid pain medication for long-lasting (chronic) pain and experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Reduced frequency of bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week in clinical trials)
- Needing to push harder during a bowel movement
- Dry, hard stools
- Sense of incomplete emptying of your bowels
Pay as
little as $0
with RELISTOR
copay card
RELISTOR
RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) is a prescription medicine used to treat constipation in adults that is caused by prescription pain medicines called opioids:
- RELISTOR tablets and injection are used to treat constipation caused by opioids in adults with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by active cancer.
- RELISTOR injection is used to treat constipation caused by opioids in adults with advanced illness or pain caused by active cancer and who need increases in their opioid dose for comfort care.
It is not known if RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) is safe and effective in children.
RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) is a prescription medicine used to treat constipation in adults that is caused by prescription pain medicines called opioids:
- RELISTOR tablets and injection are used to treat constipation caused by opioids in adults with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by active cancer.
- RELISTOR injection is used to treat constipation caused by opioids in adults with advanced illness or pain caused by active cancer and who need increases in their opioid dose for comfort care.
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 works differently from over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives it is specifically designed to target the constipating effect opioids can have on the gut without impacting opioid pain relief in the central nervous system.
Tell your doctor if you experience any changes in your pain relief.
RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) helps to keep opioids from attaching to mu-opioid receptors in the gut. RELISTOR works differently from over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives it is specifically designed to target the constipating effect opioids can have on 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.
- Stay close to a toilet after taking RELISTOR
- Stop taking other laxatives before you start taking RELISTOR. You may resume laxatives after 3 days if needed.
- Take three 150-mg tablets for a total of 450 mg each day, in the morning. It is important to take RELISTOR as prescribed by your healthcare provider, which is usually for the duration of your opioid therapy. Your doctor may change your dose if you have kidney or liver problems.
- RELISTOR should be taken at least 30 minutes before eating your first meal of the day. Do not eat food right before taking RELISTOR.
- Take RELISTOR with water.
- 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:
Stay close to a toilet after taking Relistor
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). See Instructions for Use in the accompanying Prescribing Information
- For adult patients with long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain, inject 1 dose of RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) each day
- Stop taking other laxatives before you start treatment with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide). Laxatives can be used as needed if RELISTOR does not work after 3 days of treatment
- For adults with advanced illness, inject 1 dose of RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) every other day as needed. You should not inject more than 1 dose of RELISTOR in a 24-hour period
Stop taking RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) if you stop taking your prescription opioid pain medication. Tell your healthcare provider if your pain medication changes.
If you are taking RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets for OIC:
RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets should be taken daily, as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Stay close to a toilet after taking RELISTOR
- Stop taking other laxatives before you start taking RELISTOR. You may resume laxatives after 3 days if needed.
- Take three 150-mg tablets for a total of 450 mg each day, in the morning. It is important to take RELISTOR as prescribed by your healthcare provider, which is usually for the duration of your opioid therapy. Your doctor may change your dose if you have kidney or liver problems.
- RELISTOR should be taken at least 30 minutes before eating your first meal of the day. Do not eat food right before taking RELISTOR.
- Take RELISTOR with water.
- 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:
Stay close to a toilet after taking Relistor
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). See Instructions for Use in the accompanying Prescribing Information
- For adult patients with long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain, inject 1 dose of RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) each day
- Stop taking other laxatives before you start treatment with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide). Laxatives can be used as needed if RELISTOR does not work after 3 days of treatment
- For adults with advanced illness, inject 1 dose of RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) every other day as needed. You should not inject more than 1 dose of RELISTOR in a 24-hour period
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) may work in as quickly as 4 hours.*†‡
In a clinical study of adult patients with advanced illness taking RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection, some patients may have a bowel movement within 4 hours and may do so in as quickly as 30 minutes.‡
Individual results may vary.
*Based on a clinical study of 401 adult patients with OIC and long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets or placebo (sugar pill).
†Based on a clinical study of 312 adult patients with OIC and long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection or placebo injection.
‡Based on a clinical study of 133 adult patients with advanced illness and OIC treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection or placebo injection.
RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) may work in as quickly as 4 hours.*†‡
In a clinical study of adult patients with advanced illness taking RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection, some patients may have a bowel movement within 4 hours and may do so in as quickly as 30 minutes.‡
Individual results may vary.
*Based on a clinical study of 401 adult patients with OIC and long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) tablets or placebo (sugar pill).
†Based on a clinical study of 312 adult patients with OIC and long-lasting (chronic) non-cancer pain treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection or placebo injection.
‡Based on a clinical study of 133 adult patients with advanced illness and OIC treated with RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) injection or placebo injection.
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%).
Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
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%).
Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
RELISTOR 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).
Please see the Instructions for Use included in the accompanying full Prescribing Information.
RELISTOR 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).
Please see the Instructions for Use included in the accompanying full Prescribing Information.
Pay as
little as $0
with RELISTOR
copay card
SAVINGS
You must activate the savings card before using it by visiting www.relistor.com, calling 1-855-202-3719, or texting SaveNow to 27785.
Message and data rates may apply. The full terms and conditions can be viewed at relistor.copaysavingsprogram.com/sms-terms.
You must activate the savings card before using it by visiting www.relistor.com, calling 1-855-202-3719, or texting SaveNow to 27785.
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 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 healthcare 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.
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 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 healthcare 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 copay 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.
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 copay 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.
Every insurance plan is different. Check with your insurance plan to find out if you have coverage for RELISTOR.