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Relistor vs. Movantik

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Relistor (methylnaltrexone) and Movantik (naloxegol) are both opioid antagonists used to treat constipation caused by opioid pain medications. Relistor is available in both oral and injectable forms, while Movantik is only available as an oral tablet. You take Relistor once daily in the morning, either as a 450 mg pill or a 12 mg injection, whereas Movantik is taken as a 25 mg tablet once daily on an empty stomach. Relistor can work within 4 hours when injected, but Movantik typically takes about 24 hours to work. Both medications can cause side effects like stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Movantik has no generic version available, while Relistor is also brand-name only.

Relistor

(methylnaltrexone)

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Movantik

(naloxegol)

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Summary for Relistor

Prescription only

Relistor (methylnaltrexone) is a good oral or injectable option for treating constipation due to opioid pain medications, but it can cause opioid withdrawal symptoms and diarrhea, and is quite expensive if it's not covered by insurance.

Indications for Relistor

  • Constipation due to opioid pain medications

Pros and Cons for Relistor

Pros

  • Improves your chances of having bowel movements while you're on opioid medications
  • Available in injection form if you're unable to take medications by mouth or if you have an advanced illness
  • Injection form works pretty quickly (about 4 hours)
  • Directly targets the receptors that are causing constipation

Cons

  • Usually reserved for more severe constipation, after you have tried other medications first
  • Oral form must be taken daily, cannot be used "as needed"
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea are fairly common side effects.
  • Brand-name only and may be very expensive

Common Side Effects for Relistor

  • Abdominal pain (14-29%)
  • Diarrhea (5-6%)
  • Nausea (9-12%) - mainly with injection form

Warnings for Relistor

  • Gastrointestinal (stomach or intestinal) injury
  • Diarrhea
  • Opioid withdrawal

Summary for Movantik

Prescription only

Movantik (naloxegol) is an opioid antagonist that's used to treat opioid-induced constipation, or constipation from opioid medications, in adults. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once every morning on an empty stomach. The dosage is typically 25 mg, but it can be lowered to lessen side effects or risks from interactions with other medications. Common side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Movantik (naloxegol) is available as a brand-name medication only; there's no lower-cost generic version yet.

Indications for Movantik

Pros and Cons for Movantik

Pros

  • A good option to help with constipation from opioids
  • Taken by mouth once a day
  • Tablets can be crushed and mixed with water for people who have trouble swallowing them whole

Cons

  • Must take on an empty stomach
  • Might have opioid withdrawal symptoms
  • Might not work as well if you've been taking opioids for less than 1 month

Common Side Effects for Movantik

  • Stomach pain (up to 21%)
  • Diarrhea (up to 9%)
  • Nausea (up to 8%)

Warnings for Movantik

  • Opioid withdrawal
  • Severe stomach pain or diarrhea
  • Gastrointestinal (stomach or intestinal) injury
  • Allergic reaction

Prices with our coupons for Relistor vs. Movantik

Price Card Drug Icon
Relistor90 tablets / 150mg
$2,922.68$3,108.46
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Price Card Drug Icon
Movantik30 tablets / 25mg
$445.38$530.91
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