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Alvimopan Coupon - Alvimopan 12mg capsule

alvimopan

Generic Entereg
Used for Post-Surgical Care
Used for Post-Surgical Care

Alvimopan (Entereg) is an opioid antagonist. It helps adults recover more quickly from intestinal (gut) surgery by reversing the effects of opioid pain medication on the bowels. You typically take the first dose of alvimopan (Entereg) right before surgery, then continue taking it twice daily for up to a week while you recover in the hospital. The main side effect people experience from alvimopan (Entereg) is indigestion.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 5, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Alvimopan (Entereg)?

What is Alvimopan (Entereg) used for?

  • Recovery after intestinal (gut) surgery

How Alvimopan (Entereg) works

Opioid pain medications are helpful for easing pain after gut surgery. But they can slow down movement in the stomach and intestines as a side effect. This can lead to longer recovery time and other serious problems, such as blockage in the intestines.

Alvimopan (Entereg) is an opioid antagonist. It blocks the effects of opioid medications in the stomach and intestines, without affecting how opioids work in the brain. This helps your gut to recover from surgery more quickly, without affecting how opioid medications treat pain.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsEntereg
Drug ClassOpioid antagonist
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Alvimopan (Entereg)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Indigestion (2%)

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart attack: chest pain or pressure; cold sweat; lightheadedness; discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

bloated

convulsions

decreased urine

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

dry mouth

excess air or gas in stomach or intestines

full feeling

heartburn

increased thirst

indigestion

irregular heartbeat

loss of appetite

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips

pale skin

passing gas

shortness of breath

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Decrease in frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

painful urination

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Back pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Alvimopan (Entereg)

thumbs-up

Pros

Started before surgery, so it helps to prevent opioid-related problems before they start

Doesn't block the pain-relieving effects of opioid medications

Few side effects if taken as directed

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Cons

Can only be taken while you're in the hospital

Can't take for more than 7 days (15 doses)

Can't be used if you've been taking opioid medications for more than 7 days in a row leading up to surgery

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Alvimopan (Entereg)

pharmacist

  • Don't take alvimopan (Entereg) if you've been taking opioid medications for more than 7 days in a row leading up to surgery since you're more likely to get an upset stomach (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).

    • Alvimopan (Entereg) is available only through a restricted program (Alvimopan REMS), because it can cause a heart attack if used for too long.

      • You'll only be able to get alvimopan (Entereg) while you're in the hospital for surgery. You'll get your first dose 30 minutes to 5 hours before surgery. You can't take this medication for more than 7 days (14 doses) after surgery, and you can't take it after you go home.

        • Alvimopan (Entereg) can be taken with or without food. The dose that you take before surgery will probably have to be on an empty stomach.

          • If you have liver or kidney problems, you might be more likely to have stomach upset from taking alvimopan (Entereg). Let your provider know if you're experiencing indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Alvimopan (Entereg)

            What is alvimopan (Entereg) used for?
            Alvimopan (Entereg) helps you recover from intestinal surgery more quickly by keeping the stomach and intestines moving normally. These parts of the body tend to slow down due to the surgery and opioid pain medications, which leads to back-up, blockage, and other serious problems.
            Can alvimopan (Entereg) be crushed?
            Alvimopan (Entereg) comes as capsules, so you shouldn't crush, chew, or cut it. If you have trouble swallowing pills, talk to your provider about an alternative treatment for your condition.
            Can alvimopan (Entereg) capsules be opened?
            There's no information on whether it's okay to open the alvimopan (Entereg) capsules and mix it with foods or liquids, so make sure to swallow the capsule whole as directed.
            Can pantoprazole and alvimopan (Entereg) be taken together?
            Yes, you can take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), like pantoprazole (Protonix), with alvimopan (Entereg). Limited research suggests that PPIs don't affect how well alvimopan (Entereg) works.
            Is alvimopan (Entereg) a scheduled drug?
            No, alvimopan (Entereg) isn't a scheduled or controlled medication. Alvimopan (Entereg) works by blocking the effects of opioids on the gut, but not on pain management. But alvimopan (Entereg) itself isn't a scheduled medication.
            When do you stop using alvimopan (Entereg)?
            Your provider will let you know when you can stop taking alvimopan (Entereg). Typically, you'll only take alvimopan (Entereg) during your hospital stay for up to 7 days (14 doses) after surgery, until you're able to eat solid foods and have a bowel movement. But your provider might ask you to stop this medication earlier if you experience serious side effects. If you're still backed up or having trouble eating after taking alvimopan (Entereg) for 7 days, your provider will talk with you about other options.
            How well does alvimopan (Entereg) work?
            Alvimopan (Entereg) helps keep your stomach and intestines moving normally after intestinal surgery. In clinical studies, on average, people who took alvimopan (Entereg) were able to eat solid foods and have a bowel movement an average of 11 to 32 hours sooner than those who didn't take this medication.
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            warings-icon

            What are the risks and warnings for Alvimopan (Entereg)?

            Alvimopan (Entereg) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Risk of heart attack

            • Risk factors: Using alvimopan (Entereg) for a long period of time

              Alvimopan (Entereg) can potentially raise the risk a heart attack if taken long-term (longer than 1 month). But because alvimopan (Entereg) is prescribed for a maximum of one week during the hospital stay, you're unlikely to experience this side effect if you take it as directed.

              But because of this potential side effect, you can only get alvimopan (Entereg) if your provider and the hospital are enrolled in the Alvimopan Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. This makes sure that alvimopan (Entereg) is only used short-term to lower the risk of heart attack.

              risk-warning

              Stomach upset

              • Risk factors: Recent use of opioid medications

                Alvimopan (Entereg) can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially in people who've recently taken opioid pain medications. You can't take this medication if you took opioids for more than 7 days in a row leading up to surgery.

                risk-warning

                Caution with liver or kidney disease

                The liver is responsible for breaking down alvimopan (Entereg). If you have severe liver problems, alvimopan (Entereg) can build up in the body, which can lead to more side effects. For this reason, people with severe liver disease can't take alvimopan (Entereg).

                Alvimopan (Entereg) is also not recommended for people with severe (end-stage) kidney problems, since the clinical studies didn't include people with this condition. This means that we don't know how well the medication works or how safe it is for people with severe kidney problems.

                If you have mild or moderate liver or kidney problems, you might have more side effects, or your provider might recommend a different medication to help you recover after surgery.

                risk-warning

                Caution with certain stomach conditions

                Alvimopan (Entereg) isn't recommended for people with intestinal (gut) blockage or recovery from surgery to fix this blockage. This medication should also be avoided if you have had certain surgical procedures (anastomoses) on the pancreas or stomach. The clinical studies didn't include people with these conditions, so we don't know how well alvimopan (Entereg) works or how safe it is for these people.

                dosage

                Alvimopan (Entereg) dosage forms

                Typical dosing for Alvimopan (Entereg)

                You can only receive alvimopan (Entereg) while you're in the hospital.

                • The typical dose is 12 mg by mouth 30 minutes to 5 hours before surgery. Starting the day after surgery, the typical dose is 12 mg by mouth twice daily for no more than 7 days. You shouldn't receive more than 15 total doses.

                interactions

                Interactions between Alvimopan (Entereg) and other drugs

                Alvimopan (Entereg) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Alvimopan (Entereg). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                contraindications-icon

                Alvimopan (Entereg) contraindications

                Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Alvimopan (Entereg) will not be safe for you to take.
                images

                Alvimopan (Entereg) images

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                Blue Par 3012 Par 3012 - Alvimopan 12mg Capsule
                This medicine is Blue Capsule Imprinted With "Par 3012 Par 3012".Blue Par 3012 Par 3012 - Alvimopan 12mg Capsule
                White 2312 - Alvimopan 12mg Capsule
                This medicine is White Capsule Imprinted With "2312".White 2312 - Alvimopan 12mg Capsule

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                References

                Best studies we found

                Cubist Pharmaceuticals. (2012). Welcome to the ENTEREG Access Support and Education Program. 

                Kraft, M., et al. (2010). Alvimopan (entereg) for the management of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing bowel resection. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

                Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. (2023). Alvimopan capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

                View All References (1)

                Wang, S., et al. (2012). Role of alvimopan (entereg) in gastrointestinal recovery and hospital length of stay after bowel resection. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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