Written by: Brady Quinn and Britny Rogala, PharmD – University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
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Description of PQI:
The utilization of proper diet, over-the-counter medications, and alternative prescriptions can be helpful for patients suffering from multisource drug-induced constipation. Preventing this type of constipation requires less interventions than treating the symptoms once they occur.1
Background:
Many chemotherapeutic medications, antiemetics, and pain regimens can commonly cause constipation. Drug-induced constipation, often characterized by infrequent, hard, or difficult to pass bowel movements, can significantly impair quality of life or cause severe pain, rectal fissures, or bowel obstruction.1-3
Oral chemotherapy agents that commonly cause constipation(>30%): alectinib, crizotinib, ponatinib, ixazomib, lenalidomide, niraparib, pomalidomide, rucaparib, temozolomide, and thalidomide
Anti-emetics that commonly cause constipation: 5-HT3 antagonists (e.g. ondansetron)
Diet/Exercise:
- Increase fiber intake; patients prone to small bowel obstruction (i.e. abdominal surgery) should avoid additional fiber intake
- Whole grains, brown rice, raw fruits and vegetables, etc.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- 8-10 glasses of water, fruit/vegetable juices, decaffeinated teas
- Try some sort of physical activity
Drug Therapy
Osmotic Laxative
- Polyethylene Glycol (OTC/RX)
- Take 1 capful/packet/heaping tablespoon (17g) of powder dissolved in 4-8 ounces of any beverage daily.
- Onset of action: 12-72 hours
Stool softener
- Docusate Sodium (OTC)
- Take 1 softgel (100mg) up to 3 times per day in divided doses
- Onset of action: 12-72 hours
- Can take in combination with a stimulant laxative for best results
Stimulant laxatives
- Senna (OTC)
- Take 2 tablets (17.2mg) as one dose once daily to start. If needed can take up to 4 tablets (34.4mg) twice daily
- Onset of action: 6-12 hours
- Bisacodyl (OTC)
- Take 1 tablet (5mg) once daily to start. If needed can take up to 3 tablets (15mg) once daily.
- Onset of action: 6-12 hours
Prescription Options
- Methylnaltrexone (RX only)
- Used to treat opioid-induced constipation
- Rule out GI obstruction – contraindicated
- Inject 1 prefilled syringe (dose may vary) subcutaneously up to every other day as needed
- Rotate injection site between abdomen, thighs, and upper arms
- Discontinue methylnaltrexone immediately if severe or persistent diarrhea or abdominal pain occurs
- Naloxegol (RX only)
- Used to treat opioid-induced constipation
- Rule out GI obstruction – contraindicated
- Usual dose: take 1 tablet (25mg) daily at least 1 hour before the first meal of the day (dose may differ due to tolerability)
- Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is not recommended
- Providers may request samples directly from the manufacturer
PQI Process:
Upon receipt of an oral chemotherapy agent with known constipation side effect
- Counsel patient on constipation management
- Provide information on foods to eat to prevent the onset of constipation
- Provide stool softener and stimulant laxative to patient if patient reports signs of constipation
- Keep stool softener and stimulant laxative well stocked if patient experiences intermittent constipation
- Consider scheduling a follow up phone call with patient within one week after initiation of therapy to assess if patient is experiencing constipation
- Assess the cause of constipation (chemotherapy/antiemetic/opioid)
- If opioid therapy is the cause of the constipation and significant effort to alleviate constipation has been made with no relief, consider prescription therapy (methylnaltrexone, naloxegol, etc.)
- If antiemetic therapy is the cause of constipation provide a prescription for a different type of antiemetic for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (Refer to CINV PQI)
Patient Centered Activities:
Educate patients on different forms of laxatives (bulk forming, polyethylene glycol), if bowel movements do not become regular continue on to OTC agents.
Advise patient to:
- Try to find a diet and regimen that helps to keep bowel movements regular
- Attempt to treat to what their regular bowel movement schedule would normally be
- Keep track of how many bowel movements they make in a week
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking laxative and stool softening medications
- Contact clinic if they have not had a bowel movement in 2 or more days
- Notify your provider if you have been taking OTC medications continuously for 7 days.
References:
- McQuade RM, Stojnovska V, Abalo R, Bomstein JC, Nurgali K. Chemotherapy-Induced Constipation and Diarrhea: Pathophysiology, Current and Emerging Treatments. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:414.
- Andrews CN, Storr M. The pathophysiology of chronic constipation. Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25:16B-21B.
- Kumar L, Barker C, Emmanuel A. Opioid-Induced Constipation: Pathophysiology, Clinical Consequences, and Management. Gastroenterology Research and Practice. 2014; https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/141737.
