Opioid-Induced Constipation

CHINO, Calif., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SEBiotic® (Bacillus coagulans LBSC), produced by Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics, is a spore-forming probiotic shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of drug-induced constipation associated with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs). A double-blind, randomized, interventional, parallel, controlled clinical trial published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health examined the changes in clinical symptoms, safety, tolerability and quality of life parameters associated with FGID symptoms. The study demonstrated that SEBiotic® exhibits resolution of constipation in 96.4% of patients after 35 days of intervention. It also showed improvement in stool consistency and expulsion and other symptoms, such as degree of constipation, occurrence of hard stool and defecation frequency. SEBiotic® supplementation supported positive changes in mental health, general health perceptions, bodily pain, and physical and social functioning, indicating improved quality of life after treatment. SEBiotic® was shown to be well-tolerated and safe for consumption. "It is well known that chronic drug therapies can cause an imbalance in the gut microbiome, leading to unpleasant symptoms that negatively impact quality of life," said Reshma Rathi, Vice President of Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics. "The study clearly illustrates SEBiotic® offers powerful support for those suffering from drug-induced constipation related to FGIDs." About Specialty Enzymes and Probiotics: Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics is a research-driven manufacturer with more than 45 years of fermentation experience. The company's innovative and scientifically formulated synbiotic, probiotic and enzyme solutions are supported by clinical trials and research studies published in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Specialty's branded products are shown in studies to promote joint, muscle, cardiovascular, immune, gut and digestive health, as well as promote sports nutrition. Products are manufactured in the company's state-of-the-art, NSF GMP-certified manufacturing facilities, which boast a long list of elite accreditations, including The Non-GMO Project, OK Kosher and ISA Halal. Ingredients and finished products are extensively tested in the company's on-site ISO-17025-certified laboratory, which also offers third-party testing. Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics is a proud member of the International Probiotic Association (IPA) and Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). SOURCE Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Recently, the German company Grünenthal, specializing in the development of pain relief medications, announced the acquisition of the American pharmaceutical manufacturer Valinor Pharma for $250 million in order to obtain the rights to Movantik (naloxegol), a treatment for opioid-induced constipation developed by Valinor. It is reported that in 2023, sales of this product reached $200 million in the United States. Since Grünenthal already holds the rights to Movantik in the European Union, the acquisition of Valinor will allow Grünenthal to have complete control over the Movantik brand in all markets outside of Canada. The United States is considered the company's most important growth market, and the acquisition of Valinor will strengthen Grünenthal's position in the pain management sector in the U.S. About NaloxegolNaloxegol is a selective peripherally-acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) and a pegylated form of naloxone. This product was originally developed by Nektar Therapeutics and further developed by AstraZeneca. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in September 2014 for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. Notably, Nektar holds a patent for its drug pegylation technology, and naloxegol's advantage over the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone stems from its pegylated structure, which confers high selectivity for peripheral opioid receptors while not crossing the blood-brain barrier. According to a pharmacological study published in 2017, naloxegol is a potent antagonist at human μ-opioid receptors in vitro, with a Ki value of 7.42 nM, demonstrating an action similar to that of non-PEGylated naloxone. AstraZeneca published the clinical study results of Naloxegol in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2014. Compared to placebo, the use of Naloxegol significantly improved treatment response rates without reducing the analgesic effects mediated by opioids. In addition to Naloxegol, Nektar developed ADYNOVATE in collaboration with Baxter and Baxalta. ADYNOVATE is an extended half-life recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII) product for the treatment of hemophilia. In January 2019, Takeda Pharmaceutical acquired Shire, gaining ownership of Baxalta and ADYNOVATE as a result. About PEGylated PharmaceuticalsPEGylated pharmaceuticals are composed of various reagents, including linkers, crosslinkers, and labels. Different types of reagents include amine, carboxyl, and carboxyl PEGylation. Currently, PEGylated drugs are primarily used to treat conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, and gastrointestinal diseases. In March 1990, ADAGEN produced by Enzon Pharmaceuticals was the first PEGylated protein approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for market entry. Since the launch of ADAGEN, a large number of PEGylated proteins and peptide drugs have followed suit, and many more are in clinical trials or development stages. Among the FDA-approved drugs, Pegasys and Neulasta generated sales exceeding $5 billion in 2011. How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals? In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!

TUESDAY, Sept. 4, 2024 -- An overgrowth of gut microorganisms that produce methane could be a cause of severe constipation in many people, a new review finds. These gut bugs belong to a class of microbe called archaea, and when they flourish too well in a person’s gut they cause a condition called intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), researchers explained. People with IMO are twice as likely to have constipation as those with a healthy gut, researchers found. “Our study found that patients with IMO are more likely to have constipation, particularly severe constipation, and less likely to have unyielding diarrhea,” said senior researcher Dr. Ali Rezaie , medical director of the Cedars-Sinai GI Motility Program. The human gut is colonized with trillions of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea. These organisms typically help humans by performing services important to health, such as helping digest food and manage immune reactions. However, harmful microbes can crowd out the helpful ones and create health problems. One example is C. difficile , a bacteria that can cause terrible diarrhea if it colonizes the gut. For this review, researchers looked at archaea, a type of microorganism distinct from either bacteria or fungi, and how they might cause GI problems. Constipation is one of the most common gut problems in the United States, researchers said in background notes. About 16% of adults have constipation and the numbers nearly double for people over 60. Constipation typically has been chalked up to causes like a lack of fiber or medication side effects, but researchers suspected that gut microbe makeup might also play a role in the condition. The research team pooled data from 19 studies that assessed symptoms of patients with IMO, including 11 conducted in the United States and eight in other countries. All together, the studies included nearly 1,300 people with IMO and compared them to more than 3,200 healthy controls. IMO can be detected through a simple breath test, Rezaie said. “When there is an excessive amount of archaea in your gut, they produce more methane, and some of that methane makes its way to your bloodstream, then to your lungs, and you breathe it out, where it can measured as a diagnostic test,” Rezaie explained in a Cedars Sinai release. “Essentially, people who have excessive amounts of methane have a lot of GI symptoms, including constipation, flatulence, bloating and diarrhea.” About 47% of people with IMO suffered from severe constipation, compared with 38% of controls, the pooled data revealed. They also were more likely to suffer severe constipation. On the other hand, they were less likely than controls to suffer from diarrhea, 37% versus 52%. The review was published recently in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology . The cure for IMO-induced constipation likely involves a combination of antibiotics and a specialized diet intended to boost healthy gut microbes, researchers said. The most commonly used treatment, laxatives, can temporarily relieve constipation but won’t address the root cause of the problem. However, it’s important to first diagnose archaea overgrowth by giving patients a breath test, researchers said. “The goal is to move toward developing specific therapies and personalized treatment for a subgroup of people who experience constipation due to IMO,” Rezaie said. “We can start by using breath tests to identify excessive methane production, which can be the first step to detecting archaea overgrowth and could ultimately lead to developing more targeted therapies,” Rezaie added. “It's a big step to move away from the common reflex use of laxatives.” Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.