Background: Opioids effectively reduce chronic pain, but present significant side effects including opioid-induced constipation. Oxycodone/naloxone decreases pain and constipation in cancer patients, however its effect on spinal cord injury population remains understudied.
Methods: We assessed whether oxycodone/naloxone reduces pain, constipation, and severity of autonomic dysreflexia in an individual with spinal cord injury. A 55-year-old male with C5 lesion presented with chief complaint of chronic pain received 5/2.5 mg and 20/10 mg oxycodone/naloxone for 6 and 2 weeks, respectively.
Results: Oxycodone/naloxone improved pain, bowel function, and autonomic dysreflexia severity.
Interpretation: Oxycodone/naloxone was effective in managing chronic pain and constipation in the studied case.
© 2023 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.