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A Study to Explore the Influence of Two Opioid Pain Medications on Bacterial Composition in the Gut and Other Gastrointestinal Aspects

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Severe Chronic Pain
Interventions
Drug: OXN PR followed by OxyPR tablets
Drug: OxyPR followed by OXN PR tablets
Registration Number
NCT01915147
Lead Sponsor
Mundipharma Research GmbH & Co KG
Brief Summary

The study is intended to explore changes in the composition and quantity of gut bacteria subject to treatment with strong pain medication. Two pain medications will be compared (OXN PR and OxyPR). Other gastrointestinal parameters will be assessed.

Detailed Description

Patients who require around-the-clock opioid therapy and show symptoms of constipation secondary to opioid treatment will be randomised to receive either OXN PR followed by OxyPR, or vice versa. Each treatment takes 24days. The study is composed of three phases, a pre-randomisation phase, a double-blind phase and a Follow-up phase.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
108
Inclusion Criteria

Subjects who are receiving WHO step II/III opioid analgesic medication for the treatment of non-malignant pain and who require daily opioid treatment for pain with WHO step III opioid therapy for the duration of the study, based on Investigator's judgement.

Documented history of non-malignant pain that requires around-the-clock opioid therapy (20 - 50 mg oxycodone PR equivalent per day for a minimum of study duration).

Subjects with constipation caused or aggravated by opioids:

  • Subject's medical need of regular intake of laxatives to have at least 3 bowel evacuations per week, or having less than 3 bowel evacuations when not taking a laxative.
  • In the opinion of the subject and investigator confirm that the subject's constipation is induced, or worsened by the subject's prestudy opioid medication (present at Screening).
Exclusion Criteria

Any contraindication to oxycodone, naloxone, or any non-investigational medicinal products (NIMPs) that will be used by subjects during the study.

Continuous systemic use of antibiotics and/or steroids within the last 4 weeks prior to the start of the Screening Period and during the study period.

Chronic or intermittent pain that results from Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
OXN PR followed by OxyPR tabletsOXN PR followed by OxyPR tabletsOXN PR followed by OxyPR tablets
OxyPR followed by OXN PR tabletsOxyPR followed by OXN PR tabletsOxyPR followed by OXN PR tablets
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quantitative analysis of intestinal microbiota as determined in stool samples of subjects treated with OXN PR compared to those treated with OxyPR. As this is an exploratory study, there are no primary objectives, but objectives of main interest.8 weeks

Composition and abundance of selected bacteria in stool samples by means of genomic sequencing of bacterial genes coding for 16S rRNA will be analysed. The analysis will provide information about intra-individual bacterial profile during the study as well as insights about potential effects of treatments, i.e. OXN PR and OxyPR on bacterial profile.

Orocaecal transit time on the basis of intestinal absorption & intermediary bacterial metabolism by breath tests (H2 and CH4 breath test). As this is an exploratory study, there are no primary objectives, but objectives of main interest.4 weeks

Orocaecal time will be measured by H2/CH4/ analysis of expired air of subjects (breath tests). The analysis will provide information about intraindividual changes during the study as well as insights about potential effects of treatments, i.e. OXN PR and OxyPR on orocaecal time.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Gemeinschaftspraxis Loewenstein

🇩🇪

Mainz, Germany

Dr J Hafer

🇩🇪

Wetzlar, Germany

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