Methylnaltrexone Injection
Methylnaltrexone injection is used to treat constipation caused by opioid (narcotic) pain medications in people with chronic (on-going) pain that is not caused by cancer but may be related to a previous cancer or cancer treatment. It is also used to treat constipation caused by opioid pain medications in people with an advanced illness or for active cancer pain. Methylnaltrexone injection is in a class of medications called peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists. It works by protecting the bowel from the effects of opioid (narcotic) medications.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Methylnaltrexone injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). When used to treat constipation caused by opioid medications in people with chronic (on-going) pain that is not caused by cancer, it is usually injected once a day. When used to treat constipation caused by opioid medications in people with an advanced illness or cancer, it is usually injected once every other day as needed, but it can be used up to once every 24 hours if needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use methylnaltrexone injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Methylnaltrexone injection is to be used by people who are taking opioid (narcotic) medications. Talk to your doctor if you change how much or how often you take your opioid medications. If you stop taking opioid medications, you should stop using methylnaltrexone injection as well.
You should stop taking other laxative medications when you start using methylnaltrexone injection. However, be sure to let your doctor know if methylnaltrexone injection does not work for you after using it for 3 days. Your doctor may tell you to take other laxative medication(s).
You can inject methylnaltrexone injection yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions that describe how to prepare and inject a dose of methylnaltrexone. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to prepare or inject this medication.
Methylnaltrexone injection comes in prefilled syringes and in vials to use with disposable syringes. The vial may come on a tray with a syringe, or you may need to buy syringes separately. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the type of syringes to use. Use prefilled syringes, vials and disposable syringes only once. Discard the prefilled syringe, or vial and syringe after one use, even if they are not empty. They should be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container, out of the reach of children. Do not discard a filled puncture resistant container into the household trash or recycling. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to throw away the puncture-resistant container.
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You can inject methylnaltrexone under the skin on your stomach or thighs. If someone else will be injecting the medication for you, that person can also inject it into your upper arm. Choose a new spot each time you use methylnaltrexone injection. Do not inject methylnaltrexone into a spot that is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Also, do not inject into areas with scars or stretch marks.
