Introduction

Opioids (sometimes called “painkillers”) are important drugs used to manage pain and other symptoms and include medicines such as morphine and codeine.

Although opioids are effective painkillers, they can also have side effects, one of which is constipation. OIC is a common and sometimes uncomfortable side effect which occurs in many patients who are prescribed opioids.
 
Pain is a commonly reported symptom in palliative patients and the most visible sign of distress when approaching end of life. Pain occurs in up to 70% of patients with advanced cancer and about 65% of patients dying from non-malignant disease.¹ 

 

_{1 Colvin L, Forbes K, Fallon M; Difficult pain. BMJ. 2006; 332 (7549):1081-3.}