Laxatives
Methylnaltrexone
(Relistor®) injection, subcutaneous
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor®) is a laxative prescribed by doctors to treat constipation.
People who take opioids often experience constipation, because opioids slow down the muscles in your gut. This makes passing stool take longer and often leads to constipation. Methylnaltrexone works to prevent these gut muscles from slowing down, so that stool is quicker and easier to pass.
How do I take this medicine?
Methylnaltrexone is a medication you inject into the fatty part of the skin on top of the thigh, belly, or upper arm.
To take methylnaltrexone, you should:
Step 1:
Gather your supplies: the medication syringe, an alcohol swab, a gauze or paper (to apply pressure), an adhesive dressing such as a band-aid
Step 2:
Choose an area on your body that you plan to inject. (choose a different spot every few injections, especially if you have visible bruises)
Step 3:
Wash your hands with soap and water
Step 4:
Use and alcohol swab to clean the skin over the area you plan to inject
Step 5:
Open the cap on the pre-filled syringe
Step 6:
Inject the medication, then pull out the needle
Step 7:
If the injection site is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a gauze or paper towel
Step 8:
If any bleeding - apply a band-aid
Step 9:
Throw away needle into a needle or sharps disposal box
How long does it take to get relief?
Methylnaltrexone takes about 1 ½ hours to start working.
What are the side effects?
The main side effects of this medication are abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea. It can also cause nausea or vomiting.
Cramps can be severe and usually happen if you are severely constipated. This usually goes away after you have had a good-sized bowel movement.
Because abdominal cramping is so common, you may want to take a dose of your short-acting (breakthrough) opioid about 30 minutes prior to taking methylnaltrexone (Relistor®).
If you have severe belly pain, bloating or diarrhea, talk to your care team. They may suggest a different medication.
