Onset of action of naldemedine in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic noncancer pain: results from 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common side effect of chronic opioid therapy. Previously, naldemedine, a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of OIC. In this exploratory analysis, the onset of action of naldemedine was evaluated in 2 identically designed phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Proportion of patients experiencing a spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) within 24 hours of treatment initiation, time from initial dose to first SBM and weekly SBM frequency were assessed. Naldemedine was associated with significant increases in the proportion of patients experiencing an SBM at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the initial dose compared with placebo (all P < 0.0001). Within 24 hours in both studies, statistically significantly (P < 0.0001) more patients treated with naldemedine compared with placebo experienced an SBM (61.2% vs 28.3% and 56.5% vs 33.6%, respectively). Median times to first SBM were significantly shorter in the naldemedine group vs placebo (COMPOSE-1, 16.1 vs 46.7 hours; COMPOSE-2, 18.3 vs 45.9 hours; P < 0.0001). Naldemedine was also associated with significant increases in weekly SBM frequency vs placebo within 1 week (P < 0.001). Most common treatment-emergent adverse events were gastrointestinal-related (abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported most frequently on day 1, followed by a decrease from days 2 to 7. Naldemedine had a timely onset of effect, and gastrointestinal adverse events largely resolved within the first week. These findings should assist clinicians counseling patients with chronic noncancer pain on expectations when initiating naldemedine for OIC.