NR 293 RUA Medication Teaching Plan
Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-293: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Medication Teaching Plan
Authors: Jaime Weisel and Nnamdi Omeludike
Course: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Instructor: Professor Gloria King-Hoff
Date: December 2018
Overview of the Project
This educational project focuses on Symproic (generic name: Naldemedine), an oral medication classified as an opioid receptor antagonist. Symproic is primarily prescribed for opioid-induced constipation (OIC), a condition that frequently affects patients undergoing long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. According to Hu and Bridgeman (2018), OIC is characterized by “new or worsening constipation occurring when initiating, changing, or increasing opioid use,” and is considered the most prevalent gastrointestinal complication of opioid treatment (p. 601).
The educational material is designed for adult patients with chronic pain—often arising from musculoskeletal disorders, neuropathic pain, or cancer-related pain—who require opioid analgesics for symptom management. At present, there is no established safety or efficacy data for pediatric use, so the focus remains exclusively on the adult population.
Purpose of the Educational Brochure
The brochure serves as an informative guide to:
- Raise awareness about gastrointestinal side effects linked to opioid therapy.
- Explain the therapeutic role of Symproic in managing OIC.
- Highlight the mechanism of action and expected benefits of the medication.
- Provide evidence-based information on treatment outcomes, including increased bowel movement frequency and improved quality of life.
According to Markham (2017), patients treated with Symproic demonstrated “significantly greater improvements in the frequency of bowel movements per week compared with placebo” in clinical trials (p. 925). These benefits were observed consistently over 12, 24, 36, and 52 weeks, underscoring the medication’s sustained efficacy.
Mechanism and Clinical Relevance
Symproic works by selectively blocking opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract without interfering with the analgesic effects of opioids on the central nervous system. This targeted action reduces constipation while allowing patients to continue receiving necessary pain relief. Unlike laxatives, which address symptoms superficially, Symproic directly counteracts the opioid-driven suppression of bowel motility.
NR 293 RUA Medication Teaching Plan
Table 1
Summary of Symproic (Naldemedine) for Opioid-Induced Constipation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Symproic (Naldemedine) |
| Indication | Management of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults |
| Target Population | Adults with chronic pain undergoing opioid therapy |
| Mechanism of Action | Peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) that restores bowel motility |
| Benefits | Increases bowel movement frequency, reduces straining, improves patient comfort |
| Clinical Evidence | Statistically significant improvement in bowel movement frequency vs. placebo (Markham, 2017) |
| Dosage Form | Oral tablets |
| Common Side Effects | Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence (RxList, n.d.) |
| Contraindications | Known hypersensitivity to naldemedine or any tablet component; suspected or known gastrointestinal obstruction |
Clinical Importance for Nursing Practice
For nurses, understanding the appropriate use of Symproic is essential for effective patient education and care planning. Patient teaching should include:
- Explaining medication purpose and how it works.
- Reviewing possible side effects and when to report them.
- Encouraging adherence to prescribed dosing schedules.
- Advising patients to maintain adequate hydration and fiber intake alongside pharmacological therapy.
Through proper counseling, nurses can empower patients to manage OIC effectively without compromising pain control.
References
Constipation too? Ready to make a move? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.symproic.com/
Hu, K., & Bridgeman, M. B. (2018). Naldemedine (Symproic) for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. P&T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Managed Care & Formulary Management, 43(10), 601–627.
NR 293 RUA Medication Teaching Plan
Kaufman, M. B. (2017). Pharmaceutical approval update. P&T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Managed Care & Formulary Management, 42(8), 502–504.
Markham, A. (2017). Naldemedine: First global approval. Drugs, 77(8), 923–927. http://dx.doi.org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org
New drug approvals. (2017). P&T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Managed Care & Formulary Management, 42(5), 296–297.
Symproic (Naldemedine Tablets): Side effects, interactions, warnings, dosage & uses. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rxlist.com/symproic-drug.htm