Could It
Be OIC?

OIC Illustration

What Is OIC?

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a different type of constipation that is a side effect of taking opioid pain medication.

While opioids can effectively relieve pain, they may have an undesired effect in the gut, or bowels, causing constipation. This can make it difficult for you to have bowel movements. The constipation you experience may be OIC. OIC can last the entire time you continue taking your opioid medication. It is not likely to improve over time or with a change in opioid dose.

Some examples of opioids that can cause OIC include codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and tramadol.

Use the slider below to indicate how frustrated you are about your opioid-induced constipation.

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You seem to be ok, but still check in with your healthcare provider.

Learn how RELISTOR may help with your OIC
Doctor

OIC is common

YOU ARE
NOT ALONE

Many people who take opioid pain medicine may become constipated. It's just not everyone may talk about it!

80 percent

of people in a survey of 322 patients taking oral opioid therapy daily and over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives reported still being constipated.

OIC Illustration

OIC symptoms can include:

Experiencing Any Of The Above
Symptoms While Taking An Opioid?

It could be time to bring that conversation to your healthcare provider. Especially if you
have tried over-the-counter (OTC) options and are not satisfied.

Prepare for your next appointment download
Lifestyle

OTC laxatives and OIC

Feel Like
You've Tried
Everything
For Your OIC?

OTC Icon

Why you may require a specific kind of treatment

Opioid-induced constipation is different from other types of constipation. It may not always be relieved by non-prescription constipation treatment methods such as OTC laxatives, diet changes, and exercise.

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If OTC laxatives are not working
for your OIC, you are not alone

OTC laxatives are intended for the treatment of occasional constipation but are generally not meant for long-term use

Some OTC laxatives should not be taken for longer than a week without consulting your healthcare provider

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Some common OTC laxatives include Miralax®, Colace®, and Senokot®

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All trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Taking over-the-counter laxatives for OIC? Tell your healthcare provider.
This information will help them help you, so make sure to mention it at your next appointment!

Talk to your healthcare provider about OIC and RELISTOR

Challenge Your
Opioid-Induced Constipation

Healthcare providers know that opioid-induced constipation is a real issue – they just might not know that you're suffering from it. By letting your healthcare provider know what you're experiencing, he or she can determine if prescription medication is right for you.

Check it off. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Download all the information you need to discuss RELISTOR download
Learn more about RELISTOR

RELISTOR® is for adult patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and chronic non-cancer pain.

INDICATIONS

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 RELISTOR 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 also 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 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.

RELISTOR can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Tear in your stomach or intestinal wall (perforation). Stomach pain that is severe can be a sign of a serious medical condition. If you get stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse, stop taking RELISTOR and get emergency medical help right away.
  • Diarrhea that is severe or that will not go away. Stop using RELISTOR and call your healthcare provider if you get diarrhea that is severe or that does not go away during treatment with RELISTOR.
  • Opioid withdrawal. You may have symptoms of opioid withdrawal during treatment with RELISTOR including sweating, chills, diarrhea, stomach pain, anxiety, and yawning. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms.

Before you start taking RELISTOR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems.
  • have liver problems.
  • have any stomach or bowel (intestines) problems, including stomach ulcer, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, cancer of the stomach or bowel, or Ogilvie’s syndrome.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking RELISTOR during pregnancy may cause opioid withdrawal symptoms in your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with RELISTOR.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RELISTOR passes into your breast milk. Taking RELISTOR while you are breastfeeding may cause opioid withdrawal in your baby. You should not breastfeed during treatment with RELISTOR.

Also, tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR tablets in people with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by cancer include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, diarrhea, headache, swelling or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen, sweating, anxiety, muscle spasms, runny nose, and chills.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR injection in people with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by cancer include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, hot flush, tremor, and chills.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR injection in people receiving treatment for their advanced illness include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, gas, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.

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 see Important Safety Information throughout and click here for full Prescribing Information.

INDICATIONS

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 RELISTOR 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 also 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 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.

RELISTOR can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Tear in your stomach or intestinal wall (perforation). Stomach pain that is severe can be a sign of a serious medical condition. If you get stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse, stop taking RELISTOR and get emergency medical help right away.
  • Diarrhea that is severe or that will not go away. Stop using RELISTOR and call your healthcare provider if you get diarrhea that is severe or that does not go away during treatment with RELISTOR.
  • Opioid withdrawal. You may have symptoms of opioid withdrawal during treatment with RELISTOR including sweating, chills, diarrhea, stomach pain, anxiety, and yawning. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms.

Before you start taking RELISTOR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems.
  • have liver problems.
  • have any stomach or bowel (intestines) problems, including stomach ulcer, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, cancer of the stomach or bowel, or Ogilvie’s syndrome.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking RELISTOR during pregnancy may cause opioid withdrawal symptoms in your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with RELISTOR.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RELISTOR passes into your breast milk. Taking RELISTOR while you are breastfeeding may cause opioid withdrawal in your baby. You should not breastfeed during treatment with RELISTOR.

Also, tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR tablets in people with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by cancer include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, diarrhea, headache, swelling or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen, sweating, anxiety, muscle spasms, runny nose, and chills.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR injection in people with long-lasting (chronic) pain that is not caused by cancer include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, hot flush, tremor, and chills.

The most common side effects of RELISTOR injection in people receiving treatment for their advanced illness include: stomach-area (abdomen) pain, gas, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.

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 see Important Safety Information throughout and click here for full Prescribing Information.