A study conducted by Belay Birlie Yimer and colleagues at the University of Manchester has revealed that different opioids carry varying risks of severe constipation among adult patients treated for noncancer pain. Analysis of over 80,000 hospital patients showed that morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and opioid combinations were associated with higher rates of severe constipation, while tramadol posed a lower risk. Dosage also played a significant role, with individuals taking more than 50 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day at increased risk. These findings could lead to more tailored opioid prescribing practices.

Source: BMC Medicine