GlaxoSmithKline gives positive report on painkiller side-effect drug

Britain’s largest drugs company, GlaxoSmithKline, has announced positive results for its clinical study of alvimopan, a drug designed to reduce the common side-effects of opioid-based painkillers, such as abdominal pain, bloating and constipation.

Opioids form some of the most effective painkillers, such as morphine, and they work by binding to pain receptors in the brain. However, opioids also affect gastrointestinal receptors controlling normal intestinal functions, which can result in some of the side-effects listed above.

Some 552 patients were enrolled in the study, who on average were 50 years old and had take opioids for more than six years for ailments such as back pain, neuralgia, fibromyalgia and arthritis. During the six-week study period, a statistically significant improvement in opioid side effects was observed, notably being less constipated than those patients taking the placebo. Reported side-effects included nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Dr Lynn Webster of Lifetree Clinical Research and Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, said: “Millions of people worldwide take opioids chronically to treat moderate to severe pain and about half of them will suffer from associated constipation, abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating.”

“Constipation can lead to serious complications and in some cases can be life threatening. Often patients cannot receive enough opioid to manage their pain due to constipation. The findings from this study suggest that alvimopan may play an important role in treating these GI side effects in patients by blocking the effects opioids have on the gut without adversely impacting the effect on pain control,? she added.

Glaxo, which announced a strong set of quarterly results last week, also announced that they have been awarded a $274 million (148 million pounds) contract from the US Department of Health and Human Services to further the research in pandemic influenza vaccines.

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