Alvimopan

Pronunciation: AL-vi-MOE-pan
Generic Name: Alvimopan
Brand Name: Entereg

Alvimopan is only approved for use in patients who are in the hospital. Only hospitals enrolled in the Entereg Access Support and Education (E.A.S.E) program may dispense Alvimopan to patients.

Alvimopan is for short-term use after bowel resection surgery only. Patients should not receive more than 15 doses of Alvimopan or use it for longer than 7 days.

Alvimopan is used for:

Shortening recovery time in certain patients who have had bowel resection surgery.

Alvimopan is an opioid receptor blocker. It works in the stomach and bowel to block the effects of opioids and certain substances found in the body. This helps to keep stomach and bowel muscles moving properly.

Do NOT use Alvimopan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alvimopan


• you will be having surgery for complete bowel obstruction


• you have severe liver problems or end-stage kidney disease


• you have taken an opioid (eg, codeine) regularly for the past 7 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Alvimopan:

Some medical conditions may interact with Alvimopan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have bowel blockage or a history of liver or kidney problems


• if you take or have taken opioids for chronic pain or any other medical condition


• if you have taken more than 3 doses of an opioid within the past week

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alvimopan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Opioids (eg, codeine) because side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea may be more likely to occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alvimopan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Alvimopan:

Use Alvimopan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Alvimopan should be used only in the hospital. Do not take Alvimopan if you are not in the hospital.


• Take Alvimopan by mouth with or without food.


• If you miss a dose of Alvimopan, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Alvimopan.

Important safety information:

• Do not take more than 15 doses of Alvimopan. Do not take Alvimopan for longer than 7 days.


• If you have recently taken an opioid, you may be more sensitive to the effects of Alvimopan. You may develop nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor if these effects are severe or persistent.


• The risk of side effects (eg, diarrhea, stomach or intestinal pain or cramping) may be greater in Japanese patients. Tell your doctor if any of these effects occur.


• Lab tests, including blood counts and potassium levels, may be performed while you use Alvimopan. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Alvimopan should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Alvimopan while you are pregnant. It is not known if Alvimopan is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Alvimopan, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Alvimopan:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; gas; indigestion.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain, numbness of an arm or leg, fainting, or sudden, severe headache or vomiting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; severe or persistent diarrhea, stomach pain, or stomach cramps; trouble urinating or inability to urinate; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Alvimopan side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Alvimopan:

Store Alvimopan at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Alvimopan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Alvimopan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Alvimopan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Alvimopan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Alvimopan resources

• Alvimopan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Alvimopan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Alvimopan Drug Interactions
• Alvimopan Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Alvimopan - Add your own review/rating

• Alvimopan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Alvimopan Monograph (AHFS DI)


• alvimopan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Entereg Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Entereg Consumer Overview

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