How do opioid medicines cause constipation?

Expert Video - How do opioid medicines cause constipation?

Dr. Satish Rao, an expert on constipation and the digestive system, explains the various ways that opioid medicines affect the nerves and muscles of the gut. Their action can cause constipation and other health problems. He also describes how recent research shows these medicines can actually be a source of pain and inflammation instead of relieving it.

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Section: Understanding Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)

Animation - Understanding OIC

Slide Show - Understanding OIC

Other OIC Animations

Animation - Diagnosing OIC

Animation - Managing and Treating OIC

Expert Videos

1. What is opioid-induced constipation?

2. How do opioid medicines cause constipation?

3. What are the symptoms of opioid-induced constipation?

4. What are the main reasons for treatment with opioids?

5. What questions should I ask my doctor about OIC?

Other Sections in this Module:

Diagnosing Opioid-Induced Constipation

Managing and Treating Opioid-Induced Constipation

Advances in Opioid-Induced Constipation

Other Modules:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

Chronic Constipation (CC)

Dyssynergic Defecation (DD)

Patient Stories

This educational activity has been developed by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from AbbVie, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Takeda.

This website is part of the Animated Patient^® series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.