Naldemedine
Indications
Naldemedine is used for:
Opioid-induced Constipation
Adult Dose
Opioid-induced Constipation
Indicated for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic noncancer pain
0.2 mg PO qDay
Hepatic impairment
Mild or moderate (Child-Pugh A or B): No dose adjustment required
Severe (Child-Pugh C): Avoid use
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
May take with or without food
Alteration of analgesic dosing regimen before initiating naldemedine is not required
Patients receiving opioids for <4 weeks may be less responsive to naldemedine
Discontinue naldemedine if treatment with opioids is also discontinued
Contra Indications
Known or suspected GI obstruction and patients at increased risk of recurrent obstruction, owing to the potential for GI perforation
History of hypersensitivity to naldemedine; bronchospasm and rash reported
Precautions
Gastrointestinal perforation
GI perforation reported with use of another PAMORA in patients with conditions that may be associated with localized or diffuse reduction of structural integrity in the wall of the GI tract (eg, peptic ulcer disease, Ogilvie syndrome, diverticular disease, infiltrative GI tract malignancies, peritoneal metastases)
Consider risk with use in patients with these conditions or other conditions that might result in impaired integrity of the GI tract wall (eg, Crohn disease)
Monitor for severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain and discontinue naldemedine in patients who develop this symptom
Opioid withdrawal
Clusters of symptoms consistent with opioid withdrawal include hyperhidrosis, chills, increased lacrimation, hot flush/flushing, pyrexia, sneezing, feeling cold, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Patients with blood-brain barrier disruption may be at increased risk for opioid withdrawal or reduced analgesia
Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when prescribing naldemedine in such patients
Monitor for symptoms of opioid withdrawal
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy
Fetal/neonatal clinical considerations
Naldemedine crosses the placenta and may precipitate opioid withdrawal in a fetus or newborn, owing to the immature fetal blood-brain barrier
There are no available data with naldemedine in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage
Lactation
Unknown if distributed in human breast milk
Naldemedine was present in the milk of rats
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including opioid withdrawal in breastfed infants, a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
If drug is discontinued in order to minimize drug exposure to a breastfed infant, advise women that breastfeeding may be resumed 3 days after the final dose
Interactions
Substrate of CYP3A4 (major), P-gp, and UGT1A3 (minor)
Opioid antagonists: Avoid use with another opioid antagonist
Strong CYP3A4 inducers: Avoid coadministration, owing to potential for decreased efficacy of naldemedine
Moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Monitor for potential naldemedine adverse effects, owing to increased plasma concentrations
P-gp inhibitors: Monitor for potential naldemedine adverse effects, owing to increased plasma concentrations
Side Effects
Side effects of Naldemedine :
>10%
Abdominal pain (8-11%)
1-10%
Diarrhea (7%)
Nausea (4-6%)
Vomiting (3%)
Gastroenteritis (2-3%)
Opioid withdrawal (1-3%)
Mode of Action
Opioid antagonist with binding affinities for mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors
Functions as a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) in tissues such as the GI tract, thereby decreasing the constipating effects of opioids
Derivative of naltrexone to which a side chain has been added that increases the molecular weight and the polar surface area, thereby reducing its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier