Safety and Efficacy of Methylnaltrexone in Shortening the Duration of Postoperative Ileus Following Segmental Colectomy: Results of Two Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trials

Abstract

Although the efficacy of methylnaltrexone in reducing the duration of postoperative ileus was not demonstrated in these studies, intravenous methylnaltrexone at doses of 12 mg and 24 mg was safe, in general, and well tolerated in postcolectomy patients. The utility of intravenous methylnaltrexone in treating postoperative ileus remains unproven.