AstraZeneca today announced that Moventig (naloxegol) has been granted Marketing Authorisation by the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to laxative(s). Moventig is the first once-daily oral peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) to be approved in the European Union (EU).

Opioids play an important role in chronic pain relief and work by binding to mu-receptors in the central nervous system, but they also bind to mu-receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in patients suffering from OIC.

Briggs Morrison, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development & Chief Medical Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “Constipation is one of the most common side effects for those using opioid pain medication. We’re very pleased to have received marketing authorisation for Moventig, as it allows us to offer a new treatment option for the millions of patients across Europe who suffer from opioid-induced constipation and haven’t responded to laxatives.”

For more details, go to: http://www.astrazeneca.com/Media/Press-releases/Article/20141209--moventig-approved-in-european-union