TITLE:
Effects of Prophylactic Laxatives for Opioid-Induced Constipation on Constipation Severity and Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer
AUTHORS:
Mohammad Alnaeem, Mohammad Ibrahim Al Qadire, Jafar Alasad
KEYWORDS:
Neoplasm, Adult, Opioids, Constipation, Stimulant, Laxatives
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.8 No.8,
August
6,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: To reduce patients’ unnecessary suffering, Opioids Induced Constipation (OIC) should be identified and treated as early as possible with the most current treatment. Aims: to investigate the effectiveness of prophylactic laxatives in reducing the severity of OIC and its impact on cancer patients’ quality of life. Methods: A Randomized Clinical Trial design was used. 57 cancer patients from one oncology clinic at a governmental hospital participated in the study. Patients in the intervention groups were given an oral colonic stimulant laxative (i.e. Bisacodyl, Dose = 3 tab/day) or an oral colonic osmotic laxative (i.e. Lactulose, Dose = 15 ml three times per day), while patients in the control continue receiving their routine care as usual. Results: A significant decrease in the severity of constipation symptoms among the intervention group at four weeks post-intervention was noted (p Conclusions: It can be concluded that the use prophylactic of first line laxatives concurrently with opioids decreased the severity of OIC and improved the QOL for cancer patients.