Why OIC Awareness Day Matters

Breaking the Stigma

OIC Awareness Day aims to break down the stigma and silence surrounding OIC. It provides a platform for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to encourage open discussion of this often overlooked aspect of chronic pain management with opioid therapy.

Empowering Patients

When patients find it difficult to talk about OIC, they may suffer in silence, unaware that their discomfort is a common side effect of opioid treatment. By raising awareness and promoting open conversations, patients can be empowered to seek appropriate treatment.

Educating Healthcare Professionals

OIC Awareness Day educates healthcare professionals about the importance of addressing OIC with their patients. By initiating these conversations, healthcare providers can better understand patients' needs and offer effective management strategies.

The Facts

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common side effect of opioids.

40-80% of patients taking an opioid for chronic pain may experience OIC.

Symptoms of OIC can include reduced bowel movement frequency, needing to push harder during a bowel movement, dry, hard stools, and a sense of incomplete emptying of your bowels.

Opioid-induced constipation is different from other types of constipation that may not always be relieved by non-prescription constipation treatment methods such as over-the-counter laxatives, diet changes, and exercise.

In a patient-reported survey conducted in 2014 of 493 patients with chronic non-cancer pain and OIC:

37% of patients did not discuss their constipation-related symptoms with their HCPs.
- Of those patients who did not discuss OIC, 14% reported being concerned about having their pain medication changed.
60% of patients reported using at least 1 OTC laxative.

Join the #OICAwarenessDay Movement

Resources

Go to USPF

Go to IFFGD

Treatment of OIC

There are approved medications available that can help manage OIC.

Although commonly used to help manage OIC, over-the-counter laxatives (e.g., Miralax®, Colace®, and Senokot®) are meant to treat occasional constipation

Prescription medicines that target the underlying cause of OIC are available

Peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) are FDA approved to help manage OIC

If you think you may be suffering from OIC, it's important to know you're not alone. Talk to your health care professional to see if a prescription treatment option may be right for you.

Learn More About OIC