Movantik (naloxegol oxalate)

Opioid Antagonists Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Naloxegol is a peripherally acting micro-opiate receptor antagonist.

Naloxegol, a covalent conjugate of naloxone and polyethylene glycol (PEG), is a peripherally acting micro-opiate receptor antagonist. Naloxegol exhibits antagonist effects at the micro- and delta-opiate receptors and weak partial agonist activity at kappa-opiate receptors, but has highest affinity for micro-opiate receptors; affinity of naloxegol for micro-opiate receptors is approximately 20-fold lower than that of naloxone. The mechanism of action of naloxegol in the management of opiate-induced constipation stems from the drug's ability to block micro-opiate receptors in the GI tract, thereby reversing opiate-induced constipating effects (e.g., slowing of GI motility and transit).

Conjugation with PEG results in reduced passive permeability of the drug across the blood-brain barrier and renders naloxegol a substrate for P-glycoprotein, which results in increased efflux of the drug across the blood-brain barrier. CNS penetration of naloxegol is expected to be negligible at recommended dosages, limiting the potential for interference with centrally mediated opiate analgesia.

Naloxegol is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract, with peak plasma concentrations attained in less than 2 hours following oral administration. The presence of a secondary peak concentration has been observed approximately 0.4-3 hours after the first peak concentration in most individuals, suggesting that the drug undergoes enterohepatic circulation. Peak plasma concentration and area under the concentration time-curve (AUC) increase in a dose-proportional or almost dose-proportional manner.

Administration with a high-fat meal increases the extent and rate of absorption of naloxegol; peak plasma concentration and AUC were increased by approximately 30 and 45%, respectively, when the drug was administered with a high-fat meal. Naloxegol is minimally bound to plasma proteins (approximately 4%) and has a half-life of 6-11 hours. Naloxegol is extensively metabolized, principally via cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A isoenzymes; the drug undergoes N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, oxidation, and shortening of the PEG chain.

Approximately 68% of an oral dose is eliminated in feces (approximately 16% of which is unchanged drug) and 16% is eliminated in urine.

USES: This medication is used to treat constipation caused by opioid medications in people with ongoing pain that is not caused by cancer. It blocks the effect of opioids on the gut without blocking the effect on pain. Naloxegol belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid antagonists.

Generic name: naloxegol oxalate
Pronunciation: (nal-OX-ee-gol)
Drug class: Opioid Antagonists
Therapeutic class: Antidotes and other Reversal Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Movantik:

  • Opioid-Induced Constipation

Dosing

Dosage of naloxegol oxalate is expressed in terms of naloxegol.

The recommended adult dosage of naloxegol for the management of opiate-induced constipation in patients with chronic non-cancer-related pain is 25 mg once daily in the morning. If patients cannot tolerate the 25-mg daily dosage, dosage of naloxegol may be reduced to 12.5 mg once daily in the morning.

If concomitant use of moderate cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, verapamil) is unavoidable, dosage of naloxegol should be reduced to 12.5 mg once daily, and the patient should be monitored for adverse effects. (See Drug Interactions.)

Drug interactions

Naloxegol is metabolized principally by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A isoenzymes and is a substrate, but not a clinically important inhibitor, of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Naloxegol did not inhibit CYP 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 nor substantially induce CYP 1A2, 2B6, or 3A4 in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations, and is not expected to alter metabolic clearance of drugs metabolized by these enzymes.

Naloxegol does not substantially inhibit breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), organic anion transporter (OAT) 1 or 3, organic cation transporter (OCT) 2, or organic anion transport protein (OATP) 1B1 or 1B3.

Contraindications

Because of the potential for GI perforation, naloxegol is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected GI obstruction and in patients at increased risk for recurrent GI obstruction (see GI Perforation under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions).

Naloxegol is contraindicated in patients receiving potent inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) (e.g., clarithromycin, ketoconazole) because of the potential for increased exposure to naloxegol and precipitation of opiate withdrawal (see Drug Interactions).

Naloxegol also is contraindicated in patients with known serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in 3% or more of patients receiving naloxegol 12.5 or 25 mg daily and at an incidence greater than that observed with placebo include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, vomiting, headache, and hyperhidrosis.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Opioid-induced constipation
K59.09ICD10CMOther constipation

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data