Movantik Drug Information
Generic name: NALOXEGOL OXALATE
Uses of Movantik
® is indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. MOVANTIK is an opioid antagonist indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation.
Dosage & Administration of Movantik
Administration Instructions Discontinue all maintenance laxative therapy prior to initiation of
MOVANTIK. Laxative(s) can be used as needed if there is a suboptimal response to MOVANTIK after three days. Alteration in analgesic dosing regimen prior to initiating MOVANTIK is not required. Patients receiving opioids for less than 4 weeks may be less responsive to MOVANTIK . Take MOVANTIK on an empty stomach at least 1 hour prior to the first meal of the day or 2 hours after the meal.
For patients who are unable to swallow the MOVANTIK tablet whole, the tablet can be crushed to a powder, mixed with 4 ounces (120 mL) of water, and drunk immediately. The glass should be refilled with 4 ounces (120 mL) of water, stirred and the contents drunk. MOVANTIK can also be administered via a nasogastric (NG) tube, as follows: 1.Flush the NG tube with 1 ounce (30 mL) of water using a 60 mL syringe. 2.Crush the tablet to a powder in a container and mix with approximately 2 ounces (60 mL) of water. 3.Draw up the mixture using the 60 mL syringe and administer the syringe contents through the NG tube. 4.Add approximately 2 ounces (60 mL) of water to the same container used to prepare the dose of MOVANTIK. 5.Draw up the water using the same 60 mL syringe and use all the water to flush the NG tube and any remaining medicine from the NG tube into the stomach.
Avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with MOVANTIK. Discontinue MOVANTIK if treatment with the opioid pain medication is also discontinued.
Adult Dosage
The recommended MOVANTIK dosage is 25 mg once daily in the morning. If patients are not able to tolerate MOVANTIK, reduce the dosage to 12.5 mg once daily .
Dosage in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment
The starting dosage for patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) <60 mL/min (i.e., patients with moderate, severe, or end-stage renal impairment) is 12.5 mg once daily. If this dosage is well tolerated but OIC symptoms continue, the dosage may be increased to 25 mg once daily taking into consideration the potential for markedly increased exposures in some patients with renal impairment and the increased risk of adverse reactions with higher exposures .
Dosage Recommendations due to Drug Interactions
Avoid concomitant use of MOVANTIK with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor drugs (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, verapamil). If concurrent use is unavoidable, reduce the MOVANTIK dosage to 12.5 mg once daily and monitor for adverse reactions .
Side Effects of Movantik
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to MOVANTIK in 1497 patients in clinical trials, including 537 patients exposed for greater than six months, and 320 patients exposed for 12 months. The safety data described in Table 1 are derived from two double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Studies 1 and 2) in patients with OIC and non-cancer related pain . Study 3 (n=302) was a safety extension study that allowed patients from Study 1 to continue the same blinded treatment for an additional 12 weeks.
Safety data for patients in Study 3 are similar to those listed in Table 1. Study 4 (n=844) was a Phase 3, 52-week, multi-center, open-label, randomized, parallel group, safety and tolerability study of naloxegol versus usual care treatment for OIC (as determined by the investigator and excluding peripheral opioid antagonists) in patients with non-cancer related pain. The population enrolled in Study 4 was similar to that of the other studies. Eligible patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either naloxegol 25 mg once daily or usual care treatment for OIC. The most commonly used laxatives in the usual care group were rectal stimulants (e.g., bisacodyl), oral stimulants (e.g., senna), and oral osmotics (e.g., macrogol, magnesium). Safety data for patients in Study 4 are similar to those listed in Table 1. Table 1 lists adverse reactions in pooled Studies 1 and 2 occurring in ≥3% of patients receiving MOVANTIK 12.5 mg or 25 mg and at an incidence greater than placebo.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions Adverse reactions occurring in ≥3% of patients receiving MOVANTIK 12.5 mg or 25 mg and at an incidence greater than placebo. in Patients with OIC and Non-Cancer Pain (Studies 1 and 2) Adverse Reaction MOVANTIK 25 mg (n=446) MOVANTIK 12.5 mg (n=441) Placebo (n=444) Abdominal Pain Includes: abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain lower, and gastrointestinal pain. 21% 12% 7% Diarrhea 9% 6% 5% Nausea 8% 7% 5% Flatulence 6% 3% 3% Vomiting 5% 3% 4% Headache 4% 4% 3% Hyperhidrosis 3% <1% <1% Opioid Withdrawal Possible opioid withdrawal, defined as at least three adverse reactions potentially related to opioid withdrawal that occurred on the same day and were not all related to the gastrointestinal system, occurred in less than 1% (1/444) of placebo subjects, 1% (5/441) receiving MOVANTIK 12.5 mg, and 3% (14/446) receiving MOVANTIK 25 mg in Studies 1 and 2 regardless of maintenance opioid treatment. Symptoms included but were not limited to hyperhidrosis, chills, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anxiety, irritability, and yawning. Patients receiving methadone as therapy for their pain condition were observed in Studies 1 and 2 to have a higher frequency of gastrointestinal adverse reactions than patients receiving other opioids.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of MOVANTIK. Because reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Hypersensitivity reactions : angioedema, rash, and urticaria. Gastrointestinal disorders : Gastrointestinal perforation .
Warnings & Cautions for Movantik
Opioid Withdrawal Clusters of symptoms consistent with opioid withdrawal, including hyperhidrosis, chills
diarrhea, abdominal pain, anxiety, irritability, and yawning have occurred in patients treated with MOVANTIK . In addition, patients receiving methadone as therapy for their pain condition were observed in clinical trials to have a higher frequency of gastrointestinal adverse reactions that may have been related to opioid withdrawal than patients receiving other opioids . Patients having disruptions to the blood-brain barrier may be at increased risk for opioid withdrawal or reduced analgesia. Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when using MOVANTIK in such patients. Monitor for symptoms of opioid withdrawal in such patients.
Severe Abdominal Pain and/or Diarrhea Reports of severe abdominal pain and/or diarrhea
have been reported, some of which resulted in hospitalization. Most of the cases of severe abdominal pain were reported in patients taking the 25 mg dosage. Symptoms generally occurred within a few days of initiation of MOVANTIK. Monitor patients for the development of abdominal pain and/or diarrhea with MOVANTIK and discontinue therapy if severe symptoms occur.
Consider restarting MOVANTIK at 12.5 mg once daily, if appropriate.
Gastrointestinal Perforation Cases of gastrointestinal (GI) perforation have been reported with use
of peripherally acting opioid antagonists, including MOVANTIK. Postmarketing cases of GI perforation, including fatal cases, were reported when MOVANTIK was used in patients at risk of GI perforation (e.g., infiltrative gastrointestinal tract malignancy, recent gastrointestinal tract surgery, diverticular disease including diverticulitis, ischemic colitis, or concomitantly treated with bevacizumab). MOVANTIK is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction or in patients at risk of recurrent obstruction . Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when using MOVANTIK in patients with these conditions or other conditions which might result in impaired integrity of the gastrointestinal tract wall (e.g., Crohn’s disease). Monitor for the development of severe, persistent or worsening abdominal pain; discontinue MOVANTIK in patients who develop this symptom.
Drug Interactions with Movantik
- Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, verapamil) : Increased naloxegol concentrations; avoid concomitant use; if unavoidable, reduce dosage to 12.5 mg once daily and monitor for adverse reactions. (2.4 , 7.1) Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) : Decreased concentrations of naloxegol; concomitant use is not recommended. (7.1) Other opioid antagonists : Potential for additive effect and increased risk of opioid withdrawal; avoid concomitant use. (7.1) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on MOVANTIK Table 2 displays the effects of other drugs on MOVANTIK. Table 2. Effects of Other Drugs on MOVANTIK Concomitant Agent Mechanism of Action Clinical Recommendation CYP3A4 Inhibitors
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin)
- Increase plasma naloxegol concentrations and may increase the risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
- Use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] .
- Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, verapamil)
- Avoid use with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors; if unavoidable, decrease the dosage of MOVANTIK to 12.5 mg once daily and monitor for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] .
- Weak CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, cimetidine)
- Clinically significant increases in naloxegol concentrations are not expected.
- No dosage adjustments are necessary.
- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice The effect of grapefruit juice varies widely among brands and is concentration-, dose-, and preparation-dependent. Studies have shown that it can be classified as a “strong CYP3A inhibitor” when a certain preparation was used (e.g., high dose, double strength) or as a “moderate CYP3A inhibitor” when another preparation was used (e.g., low dose, single strength).
- Can increase plasma naloxegol concentrations.
- Avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with MOVANTIK [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . CYP3A4 Inducers
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John’s Wort)
- Significantly decrease plasma naloxegol concentrations and may decrease the efficacy of MOVANTIK [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
- Use with strong CYP3A4 inducers is not recommended . Other Drug Interactions
- Other opioid antagonists
- Potential for additive effect of opioid receptor antagonism and increased risk of opioid withdrawal.
- Avoid use of MOVANTIK with another opioid antagonist.
Pregnancy Safety for Movantik
Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited available data with MOVANTIK use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. MOVANTIK may precipitate opioid withdrawal in the pregnant women and the fetus (see Clinical Considerations ). In animal development studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following administration of naloxegol in pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 1452 times the human AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve) at the maximum recommended human dose. No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following administration of naloxegol in pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 409 times the human AUC at the maximum recommended human dose.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically-recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Maternal and Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions The use of MOVANTIK may be associated with opioid withdrawal in the pregnant woman and the fetus. Data Animal Data Oral administration of up to 750 mg/kg/day naloxegol in rats (1452 times the human AUC at the maximum recommended human dose) and 450 mg/kg/day naloxegol in rabbits (409 times the human AUC at the maximum recommended human dose) during the period of organogenesis produced no adverse effects on embryo-fetal development. Oral administration of up to 500 mg/kg/day in rats (195 times the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area) during the period of organogenesis through lactation produced no adverse effects on parturition or the offspring.
Pediatric Use of Movantik
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of MOVANTIK have not been established in pediatric patients.
Contraindications for Movantik
is contraindicated in: Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction and patients at risk of recurrent obstruction, due to the potential for gastrointestinal perforation . Patients concomitantly using strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, ketoconazole) because these medications can significantly increase exposure to naloxegol which may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms such as hyperhidrosis, chills, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anxiety, irritability, and yawning . Patients who have had a known serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction to MOVANTIK or any of its excipients . Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction and at risk of recurrent obstruction. Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, ketoconazole). Known serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction to MOVANTIK or any of its excipients.
Overdosage Information for Movantik
In a clinical study of patients with OIC a daily dose of 50 mg (twice the recommended dosage), administered over 4 weeks, was associated with an increased incidence of GI adverse reactions, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. These adverse reactions frequently occurred within 1-2 days after dosing. No antidote is known for naloxegol.
Dialysis was noted to be ineffective as a means of elimination in a clinical study in patients with renal failure. If a patient on opioid therapy receives an overdose of naloxegol, the patient should be monitored closely for potential evidence of opioid withdrawal symptoms such as chills, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, or reversal of central analgesic effect. Base treatment on the degree of opioid withdrawal symptoms, including changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and on the need for analgesia.
Clinical Studies of Movantik
The safety and efficacy of MOVANTIK were evaluated in two replicate, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials (Study 1 and Study 2) in patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and non-cancer related pain. Patients receiving an opioid morphine equivalent daily dose of between 30 mg and 1,000 mg for at least four weeks before enrollment and self-reported OIC were eligible to participate. OIC was confirmed through a two-week run-in period and was defined as <3 spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week on average with at least 25% of the SBMs associated with one or more of the following conditions: straining, hard or lumpy stools; and having a sensation of incomplete evacuation.
An SBM was defined as a bowel movement (BM) without rescue laxative taken within the past 24 hours. Patients with 0 BMs over the two-week run-in period or patients with an uneven distribution of SBMs across the two-week run-in period (0 SBMs in one week with ≥4 SBMs in the other week) were excluded. Throughout the studies (including the two-week run-in period), patients were prohibited from using laxatives other than bisacodyl rescue laxative (if they had not had a BM for 72 hours) and one-time use of an enema (if after 3 doses of bisacodyl, they still did not have a BM). Patients suspected of having clinically important disruptions to the blood-brain barrier were not enrolled in these studies.
A total of 652 patients in Study 1 and 700 patients in Study 2 were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 12.5 mg or 25 mg of MOVANTIK or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The mean age of the subjects in these two studies was 52 years, 10% and 13% were 65 years of age or older, 61% and 63% were women, and 78% and 80% were White in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. Back pain was the most common reason for pain (56% and 57%); arthritis (10% and 10%) and joint pain (3% and 5%) were other prominent reasons in Studies 1 and 2, respectively.
Prior to enrollment, patients had been using their current opioid for an average of 3.6 and 3.7 years. The patients who participated in Studies 1 and 2 were taking a wide range of opioids. The mean baseline opioid morphine equivalent daily dosage was 140 mg and 136 mg per day.
Use of one or more laxatives on at least one occasion within the two weeks prior to enrollment was reported by 71% of patients in both Studies 1 and 2. The primary endpoint was response defined as: ≥3 SBMs per week and a change from baseline of ≥1 SBM per week for at least 9 out of the 12 study weeks and 3 out of the last 4 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference for the 25 mg MOVANTIK treatment group versus placebo for the primary endpoint in Study 1 and Study 2 (see Table 3 ). Statistical significance for the 12.5 mg treatment group versus placebo was observed in Study 1 but not in Study 2 (see Table 3 ). Table 3. Primary Endpoint: Response Response defined as: ≥3 SBMs per week and change from baseline of ≥1 SBM per week for at least 9 out of the 12 study weeks and 3 out of the last 4 weeks. (Studies 1 and 2) Study 1 Placebo (N = 214) 12.5 mg (N = 213) 25 mg (N = 214) Patients responding, n (%) 63 (29%) 87 (41%) 95 (44%) Treatment Difference (MOVANTIK-Placebo) -- 11.4% 15.0% 95% Confidence Interval -- (2.4%, 20.4%) (5.9%, 24.0%) p-value -- 0.015 Statistically significant: p-values based on the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. 0.001 Study 2 Placebo (N = 232) 12.5 mg (N = 232) 25 mg (N = 232) Patients responding, n (%) 68 (29%) 81 (35%) 92 (40%) Treatment Difference (MOVANTIK-Placebo) -- 5.6% 10.3% 95% Confidence Interval -- (-2.9%, 14.1%) (1.7%, 18.9%) p-value -- 0.202 0.021 One secondary endpoint in Study 1 and Study 2 was response in laxative users with OIC symptoms. This subgroup comprised 55% and 53% of total patients in these two studies, respectively.
These patients (identified using an investigator-administered questionnaire), prior to enrollment, had reported using laxative(s) at least 4 out of the past 14 days with at least one of the following OIC symptoms of moderate, severe, or very severe intensity: incomplete bowel movements, hard stool, straining, or sensation of needing to pass a bowel movement but unable to do so. In this subgroup, in Studies 1 and 2, 42% and 50% reported using laxatives on a daily basis. The most frequently reported laxatives used on a daily basis were stool softeners (18% and 24%), stimulants (16% and 18%), and polyethylene glycol (6% and 5%). Use of two laxative classes was reported in 31% and 27% anytime during the 14 days prior to enrollment.
The most commonly reported combination was stimulants and stool softeners (10% and 8%). In Study 1, a statistically significantly higher percentage of patients in this subgroup responded with MOVANTIK 12.5 mg compared to placebo (43% vs. 29%; p=0.03) and with MOVANTIK 25 mg compared to placebo (49% vs. 29%; p=0.002). In Study 2, a statistically significantly higher percentage of patients in this subgroup responded with MOVANTIK 25 mg compared to placebo (47% vs. 31%; p=0.01). This secondary endpoint was not tested for MOVANTIK 12.5 mg versus placebo in Study 2 because the primary endpoint was not statistically significant. Another secondary endpoint was time to first post-dose SBM. The time to first post-dose SBM was significantly shorter with MOVANTIK 25 mg compared to placebo in both Study 1 (p <0.001) and Study 2 (p <0.001), and for MOVANTIK 12.5 mg as compared to placebo in Study 1 (p <0.001). For Study 1, the median times to first post-dose SBM were 6, 20, and 36 hours with MOVANTIK 25 mg, MOVANTIK 12.5 mg, and placebo, respectively. For Study 2, the median times to first post-dose SBM were 12 and 37 hours with MOVANTIK 25 mg and placebo, respectively.
These analyses do not include the results for MOVANTIK 12.5 mg versus placebo in Study 2 because the primary endpoint was not statistically significant. In the two studies, 61-70% and 58% of patients receiving MOVANTIK 25 mg and MOVANTIK 12.5 mg, respectively, had an SBM within 24 hours of the first dose. A third secondary endpoint was an evaluation of change from baseline between the treatment groups for mean number of days per week with at least 1 SBM but no more than 3 SBMs.
There was a significant difference in number of days per week with 1 to 3 SBMs per day on average over 12 weeks between MOVANTIK 25 mg (Study 1 and Study 2) and MOVANTIK 12.5 mg (Study 1) and placebo.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
Ready to save on Movantik?
Compare prescription prices at over 70,000 pharmacies and start saving today—no enrollment required.
Compare Movantik Prices