Abordaje del estreñimiento inducido por opioides en pacientes con cáncer: una revisión narrativa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35509/01239015.1116Palabras clave:
analgésicos opioides, estreñimiento, estreñimiento inducido por opioides, laxativos, dolor, neoplasiasResumen
El estreñimiento inducido por opioides (EIO) constituye una de las complicaciones gastrointestinales más frecuentes y limitantes en pacientes oncológicos bajo analgesia prolongada. Su fisiopatología multifactorial, ausencia de tolerancia farmacológica y elevado impacto funcional lo convierten en un desafío clínico que exige estrategias proactivas de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Esta revisión narrativa, sustentada en evidencia reciente y en un consenso interdisciplinario, sintetiza las principales recomendaciones para el abordaje integral del EIO en pacientes oncológicos. Se destaca la identificación de opioides con mayor riesgo de constipación, los criterios clínicos estandarizados para su diagnóstico, las indicaciones para el uso escalonado de laxantes osmóticos, estimulantes y secretagogos, y el papel de los antagonistas periféricos del receptor opioide mu (PAMORA, según sus siglas en inglés) en casos refractarios. Asimismo, se propone un algoritmo clínico estructurado, aplicable en escenarios de alta complejidad, que facilita la toma de decisiones, mejora la adherencia terapéutica y contribuye al control sintomático efectivo, sin comprometer la eficacia analgésica. Esta herramienta resulta especialmente útil en el manejo multidisciplinario del paciente oncológico con EIO.
Biografía del autor/a
Jorge Andrés Sánchez-Duque, Especialista en entrenamiento de la Especialización en Medicina del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos, convenio Universidad Militar Nueva Granada - Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá D. C., Colombia.
1 Especialista en entrenamiento de la Especialización en Medicina del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos, convenio Universidad Militar Nueva Granada - Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá D. C., Colombia.
Eliana Katherine Manrique-Hernández, Unidad de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia.
2 Unidad de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia.
Adalberto David Pantoja-Molina, Unidad de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia.
2 Unidad de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia.
Lizeth Xiomara Morales-Ceballos, Unidad de Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
3 Unidad de Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.
Karol Tatiana Manrique-Hernández, Estudiante del pregrado en Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia.
4 Estudiante del pregrado en Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia.
Eduardo Alfonso Acosta-Quevedo (†), Grupo Cuidado Paliativo, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá D. C., Colombia.
5 Grupo Cuidado Paliativo, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá D. C., Colombia.
(†) Reconocimiento póstumo a la participación del doctor Eduardo Alfonso Acosta Quevedo (Q. E. P. D.)
Referencias bibliográficas
Varrassi G, Casale G, De Marinis M, Dentali F, Evangelista P, Gobber G, et al. Improving diagnosis and management of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in clinical practice: an italian expert opinion. J Clin Med. 2024;13(22):6689. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226689
Squeo F, Celiberto F, Ierardi E, Russo F, Riezzo G, D'Attoma B, et al. Opioid-induced constipation: old and new concepts in diagnosis and treatment. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2024;30(2):131-42. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm23144
Fumita S, Imai H, Harada T, Noriyuki T, Gamoh M, Akashi Y, et al. Patients' self-assessment of the symptoms and impact of opioid-induced constipation: results from a prospective observational cohort study of Japanese patients with cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020;59(5):1043-51.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.11.021
Holgado E, Blasco A, Guix M, Villatoro R, Sanz A, Monge D, et al. Overcoming barriers to opioid-induced constipation management in cancer patients. Semin Oncol. 2023;50(6):149-54. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.07.001
Jesuyajolu D, Abubakar A, Kowe T, Ogunlade S, Abioye A, Tangeman J, et al. The management of opioid-induced constipation in cancer and advanced illness: a meta-analysis. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024;67(4):e285-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.12.010
Kistemaker K, Sijani F, Brinkman D, de Graeff A, Burchell G, Steegers M, et al. Pharmacological prevention and treatment of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Treat Rev. 2024;125:102704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102704
Okdahl T, Emmanuel A, Morlion B, Farmer A, Varrassi G, Drewes A. Recommendations for the management of opioid-induced constipation - how to improve usability in clinical practice. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023;17(10):975-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/17474124.2023.2267441
De Giorgio R, Zucco F, Chiarioni G, Mercadante S, Corazziari E, Caraceni A, et al. Management of opioid-induced constipation and bowel dysfunction: expert opinion of an Italian multidisciplinary panel. Adv Ther. 2021;38(7):3589-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-021-01766-y
Ben Salem C, Ben Abdelkrim A, Ouni B. Preventing opioid-induced constipation. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(5):726. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8894
Horrigan J, Bhumi S, Miller D, Jafri M, Tadros M. Management of opioid-induced constipation in older adults. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023;57(1):39-47. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcg.0000000000001801
Li X, Li B, Zhang J, Chen T, Wu H, Shi X, et al. Efficacy of opioid receptor modulators in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2021;100(4):e24361. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000024361
Long Y, Li L, Chen X, Tian L, He H, Li Y-L. Traditional laxatives in preventing opioid-induced constipation in adult patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open. 2024;14(12):e086001. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086001
ALMouaalamy N. Opioid-induced constipation in advanced cancer patients. Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14386. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.14386
Überall M, Elling C, Eibl C, Müller-Schwefe G, Lefeber C, Heine M, et al. Tapentadol prolonged release in patients with chronic low back pain: real-world data from the German Pain eRegistry. Pain Manag. 2022;12(2):211-27. https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt-2021-0058
Ford A, Brenner D, Schoenfeld P. Efficacy of pharmacological therapies for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(10):1566-74. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2013.169
Nee J, Zakari M, Sugarman M, Whelan J, Hirsch W, Sultan S, et al. Efficacy of treatments for opioid-induced constipation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(10):1569-84.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2018.01.021
Müller-Lissner S, Bassotti G, Coffin B, Drewes A, Breivik H, Eisenberg E, et al. Opioid-induced constipation and bowel dysfunction: a clinical guideline. Pain Med. 2017;18(10):1837-63. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnw255
Huang L, Zhou J-G, Zhang Y, Wang F, Wang Y, Liu D-H, et al. Opioid-induced constipation relief from fixed-ratio combination prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone compared with oxycodone and morphine for chronic nonmalignant pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2017;54(5):737-48.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.07.025
Luthra P, Burr N, Brenner D, Ford A. Efficacy of pharmacological therapies for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Gut. 2019;68(3):434-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2018-316001
Wang D-D, Ma T-T, Zhu H-D, Peng C-B. Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain: trial sequential analysis of 3406 patients from 35 randomized controlled trials. J Cancer Res Ther. 2018;14(supl.):S14-21. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1482.171368
Shaheed C, Hayes C, Maher C, Ballantyne J, Underwood M, McLachlan A, et al. Opioid analgesics for nociceptive cancer pain: a comprehensive review. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(3):286-313. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21823
Wirz S, Wittmann M, Schenk M, Schroeck A, Schaefer N, Mueller M, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms under opioid therapy: a prospective comparison of oral sustained-release hydromorphone, transdermal fentanyl, and transdermal buprenorphine. Eur J Pain. 2009;13(7):737-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.09.005
Wolff R, Aune D, Truyers C, Hernandez A, Misso K, Riemsma R, et al. Systematic review of efficacy and safety of buprenorphine versus fentanyl or morphine in patients with chronic moderate to severe pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2012;28(5):833-45. https://doi.org/10.1185/03007995.2012.678938
Gironés R, Calsina-Berna A, Gozalvo A, Esparza-Miñana J, Falcó E, Working Group ActEIO Project, et al. Delphi consensus on strategies in the management of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients. BMC Palliat Care. 2021;20(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-020-00693-z
Alvaro D, Caraceni A, Coluzzi F, Gianni W, Lugoboni F, Marinangeli F, et al. What to do and what not to do in the management of opioid-induced constipation: a choosing wisely report. Pain Ther. 2020;9(2):657-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-020-00195-z
Serra J, Alcedo J, Barber C, Ciriza de Los Ríos C. Review document of the Spanish Association of Neurogastroenterology and Motility on the management of opioid-induced constipation. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2024;116(10):546-53. https://doi.org/10.17235/reed.2024.10242/2024
Davies A, Leach C, Butler C, Patel S, Shorthose K, Batsari K. Opioid-induced constipation: a stepwise treatment algorithm feasibility study. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2023;13(e2):e446-53. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002754
Mercadante S, Gueci M. Extreme opioid-induced constipation in advanced cancer: successful management. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2023;13(e2):e300-2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002981
Saha S, Nathani P, Gupta A. Preventing opioid-induced constipation: a teachable moment. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(10):1371-2. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3285
Vijayvargiya P, Camilleri M, Vijayvargiya P, Erwin P, Murad M. Systematic review with meta-analysis: efficacy and safety of treatments for opioid-induced constipation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2020;52(1):37-53. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15791
Sridharan K, Sivaramakrishnan G. Drugs for treating opioid-induced constipation: a mixed treatment comparison network meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018;55(2):468-79.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.08.022
Sonohata M, Wada S, Koretaka Y, Morioka Y, Mishima H, Mawatari M. A survey of the incidence of constipation in patients with chronic non-cancer pain using opioid analgesics in Japan. Pain Ther. 2022;11(3):845-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-022-00392-y
Silverman S, Rice J, White A, Beck C, Robinson R, Fernan C, et al. Clinical and economic burden of prescribing tramadol and other opioids for patients with osteoarthritis in a commercially insured population in the United States. Pain. 2022;163(1):75-82. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002300
Buynak R, Rappaport S, Rod K, Arsenault P, Heisig F, Rauschkolb C, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of tapentadol extended release following up to 2 years of treatment in patients with moderate to severe, chronic pain: results of an open-label extension trial. Clin Ther. 2015;37(11):2420-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.08.014
Imanaka K, Tominaga Y, Etropolski M, Ohashi H, Hirose K, Matsumura T. Ready conversion of patients with well-controlled, moderate to severe, chronic malignant tumor-related pain on other opioids to tapentadol extended release. Clin Drug Investig. 2014;34(7):501-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-014-0204-3
Ribeiro H, Magalhães J, Cardoso T, Chaves-Castro I, Lopes-Mota C, Costa E, et al. Opioids and constipation therapy in the last week of life: their impact on patients, caregivers, and the location of death. Medicine. 2023;102(3):e32718. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000032718
Rull M, Puig R. Manejo de buprenorfina transdérmica en pacientes que no han usado previamente opioides. Rev Soc Esp Dolor. 2006;13(2):108-13. https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=S1134-80462006000200006&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
Childers J, Arnold R. Use of the low-dose buprenorphine patch: author commentary. J Palliat Med. 2014;17(4):381-2. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2014.9437
Rico M, Velasco M, Ahumada M, Sepúlveda Y, Delgado I. Estudio de la constipación en pacientes oncológicos bajo tratamiento opioide en población de la región Metropolitana. Revista El Dolor. 2008;50(17):22-31. https://www.revistaeldolor.cl/numero-50/estudio-de-la-constipacion-en-pacientes-oncologicos-bajo-tratamiento-opioide-en-poblacion-de-la-region-metropolitana
Moura G, Giublin M, Albini L, Pasquini R, Viana K, Chicoski F. Effectiveness, safety and tolerability of codeine in cancer patients. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(supl. 18):18577. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.18577
Lugoboni F, Mirijello A, Zamboni L, Faccini M, Casari R, Cossari A, et al. High prevalence of constipation and reduced quality of life in opioid-dependent patients treated with opioid substitution treatments. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2016;17(16):2135-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2016.1232391
Gray D, Spence D. The prevalence of constipation in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment for opioid dependency. J Subst Use. 2009;10(6):397-401. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14659890412331318912
Wen W, Taber L, Lynch S, He E, Ripa S. 12-Month safety and effectiveness of once-daily hydrocodone tablets formulated with abuse-deterrent properties in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain. J Opioid Manag. 2015;11(4):339-56. https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2015.0283
Nalamachu S, Rauck R, Hale M, Florete O, Robinson C, Farr S. A long-term, open-label safety study of single-entity hydrocodone bitartrate extended release for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. J Pain Res. 2014;7:669-78. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s71536
Gustafsson M, Matos C, Joaquim J, Scholl J, van Hunsel F. Adverse drug reactions to opioids: a study in a national pharmacovigilance database. Drug Saf. 2023;46(11):1133-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-023-01351-y
Staats P, Markowitz J, Schein J. Incidence of constipation associated with long-acting opioid therapy: a comparative study. South Med J. 2004;97(2):129-34. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.smj.0000109215.54052.d8
Rionda E, Rivera M, Canseco C, Torres J, Tenopala S, Díaz-Coto A, et al. Dosis efectiva de hidromorfona en pacientes con dolor crónico oncológico: experiencia de 4 años en el Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre ISSSTE. Rev Soc Esp Dolor. 2009;16(5):270-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1134-8046(09)72034-8
Vandenbossche J, Richarz U, Richards H. Repeat-dose steady-state pharmacokinetic evaluation of once-daily hydromorphone extended-release (OROS(®) hydromorphone ER) in patients with chronic pain. J Pain Res. 2012;5:523-33. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S33807
Nalamachu S, Kutch M, Hale M. Safety and tolerability of once-daily OROS(®) hydromorphone extended-release in opioid-tolerant adults with moderate-to-severe chronic cancer and noncancer pain: pooled analysis of 11 clinical studies. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012;44(6):852-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.12.280
McMillan S. Assessing and managing opiate-induced constipation in adults with cancer. Cancer Control. 2004;11(supl. 3):3-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748040110s302
Velázquez I, Velázquez L, García P, Melero C. Opioid-induced constipation in chronic pain: experience with 180 patients. J Opioid Manag. 2019;15(1):69-76. https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2019.0487
Serra J, Mascort-Roca J, Marzo-Castillejo M, Delgado S, Ferrándiz J, Diaz E, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of constipation in adults. Part 2: diagnosis and treatment. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;40(4):303-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastrohep.2016.02.007
Rogers B, Ginex P, Anbari A, Hanson B, LeFebvre K, Lopez R, et al. ONS Guidelines™ for opioid-induced and non-opioid-related cancer constipation. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2020;47(6):671-91. https://doi.org/10.1188/20.onf.671-691
Davies A, Fagan N, Power J, Taylor A. 'Constipation': one word, many meanings amongst persons with cancer: an observational study. Palliat Med. 2025;39(5):553-62. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163251325711
Okuda Y, Kuriyama T, Tsukiyama Y, Shimokawa T, Wan K, Kawamata T. Efficacy of prophylactic laxatives against opioid-induced constipation: retrospective propensity score matching analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2025;33(2):115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09154-w
Chassagne P, Ducrotte P, Garnier P, Mathiex-Fortunet H. Tolerance and long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol 4000 (Forlax®) compared to lactulose in elderly patients with chronic constipation. J Nutr Health Aging. 2017;21(4):429-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0762-6
Crockett S, Greer K, Heidelbaugh J, Falck-Ytter Y, Hanson B, Sultan S, et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on the medical management of opioid-induced constipation. Gastroenterology. 2019;156(1):218-26. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.016
Libran A, Cruz-Sequeiros C, Luque-Blanco A, Porta-Sales J. Peripheral acting Mu opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of the opioid-induced constipation: review. Rev Soc Esp Dolor. 2020;27(1):37-49. https://doi.org/10.20986/resed.2020.3717/2018
Valladales-Restrepo L, Paredes-Mendoza M, Machado-Alba J. Potentially inappropriate prescriptions for anticholinergic medications for patients with constipation. Dig Dis. 2020;38(6):500-6. https://doi.org/10.1159/000506981
Jaramillo-Mejia J, Morales-Ceballos L, Bautista-Mier H, Sánchez-Duque J. Cuidados paliativos geriátricos en atención primaria: una mirada desde la medicina narrativa. Aten Fam. 2024;32(1):69-73. https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.14058871p.2025.1.90134
Sánchez-Duque J, Molano-Dorado H, Martínez-Cerón D, Giraldo-Giraldo C, Gaviria-Mendoza A, Machado-Duque M, et al. Intervención educativa sobre polifarmacia y deprescripción en población adulta mayor de Colombia. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 2025;60(5):101681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regg.2025.101681
Larkin P, Cherny N, La Carpia D, Guglielmo M, Ostgathe C, Scotté F, et al. Diagnosis, assessment and management of constipation in advanced cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Ann Oncol. 2018;29(supl. 4):iv111-25. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdy148
Meyer M, Strazdins E, Guessoum A, Westenberg J, Appenzeller-Herzog C, Cattaneo, et al. Relative risks of adverse effects across different opioid agonist treatments-A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction. 2025;120(6):1112-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.70000
Huang S-Y, Chiao C-Y, Chien L-Y. Effectiveness of abdominal massage on chronic constipation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2025;161:104936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104936
Mesía R, Virizuela J, Gómez J, Sauri T, Serrano G, Pujol E. Opioid-induced constipation in oncological patients: new strategies of management. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2019;20(12):91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-019-0686-6
Cómo citar
Descargas
Publicado
Número
Sección
Licencia
Derechos de autor 2025 Revista Colombiana de Cancerología

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 4.0.
Todos los derechos reservados.
| Estadísticas de artículo | |
|---|---|
| Vistas de resúmenes | |
| Vistas de PDF | |
| Descargas de PDF | |
| Vistas de HTML | |
| Otras vistas | |

