How can medical professionals take advantage of the valuable effects of opiates while minimizing their most common side effect—opioid bowel syndrome?

This groundbreaking book will help physicians in their day-to-day practice and help researchers and educators prepare the next generation of clinicians to make more efficient use of opioids. The Handbook of Opioid Bowel Syndrome presents complete, authoritative, current information on the mechanisms of action of opioids and the management of opioid bowel dysfunction-the number one reason physicians avoid prescribing opioids. Most chapters include charts, tables, and/or illustrations that make complex information about this vexing problem easy to access and understand. All are well-referenced for further study.

From the editor: “Opioid compounds, which are widely administered for a variety of medical indications, are associated with a number of side effects, especially opioid bowel dysfunction (OBD). Very often, OBD is so severe that physicians limit opioid use or dose, even when medically indicated. Although OBD is a significant clinical problem, it has received insufficient attention in the past within the medical community. This book presents complete, authoritative information on recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of action of opioids in relation to OBD and its management.”

In 11 well-referenced chapters, the Handbook of Opioid Bowel Syndrome addresses:

• gastrointestinal opioid physiology and pharmacology
  
• the pathophysiology of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction
  
• the epidemiology of OBD
  
• OBD in palliative care
  
• OBD in acute and chronic nonmalignant pain
  
• post-operative OBD
  
• post-surgical bowel dysfunction in the gynecological patient
  
• new peripheral opioid antagonists currently under clinical development

Packed with information about opioids that was previously unavailable or difficult to find, the Handbook of Opioid Bowel Syndrome is an essential addition to the library of any clinician, researcher, or educator who needs current, essential knowledge about the best ways to utilize these quality-of-life enhancing medications.