Entereg

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

Entereg 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 Entereg to patients.

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

Entereg is used for:

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

Entereg 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 Entereg if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Entereg 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 Entereg:

Some medical conditions may interact with Entereg. 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 Entereg. 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 Entereg 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 Entereg:

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

Entereg should be used only in the hospital. Do not take Entereg if you are not in the hospital. Take Entereg by mouth with or without food. If you miss a dose of Entereg, contact your doctor right away.

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

Important safety information: Do not take more than 15 doses of Entereg. Do not take Entereg for longer than 7 days. If you have recently taken an opioid, you may be more sensitive to the effects of Entereg. 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 Entereg. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Entereg 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 Entereg while you are pregnant. It is not known if Entereg is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Entereg, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Entereg:

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: Entereg 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 Entereg:

Store Entereg 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 Entereg out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Entereg, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Entereg 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 Entereg. 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 Entereg resources Entereg Side Effects (in more detail) Entereg Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Entereg Drug Interactions Entereg Support Group 0 Reviews for Entereg - Add your own review/rating Entereg Prescribing Information (FDA) Entereg Consumer Overview Entereg Monograph (AHFS DI) Entereg Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information Alvimopan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer) Compare Entereg with other medications Gastrointestinal Surgery Postoperative Ileus

Entereg

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