On this page
Short answer Pregnancy and alvimopan: what to know Common questions Related questions SourcesAlvimopan is not a medicine you start on your own while pregnant, because it is given only in the hospital for a few days after bowel surgery, and only when your surgical and prenatal teams agree the benefit is worth it.
The drug acts mainly in the gut and blocks opioid effects on the bowel, which can shorten the time until you pass gas and eat again after a bowel resection. Human pregnancy data are limited, so the decision rests on how much you need the surgery and how much the recovery benefit matters for you. It is supplied only to hospitals and is capped at 15 doses over no more than 7 days, so there is no home supply to manage. Alvimopan is not used for everyday constipation or for opioid side effects outside that surgical setting. If you are pregnant or think you might be, say so to the surgical team and your prenatal clinician before the operation is scheduled.
Pregnancy and alvimopan: what to know
Common questions
Can you take Alvimopan while pregnant?
Alvimopan (Entereg) is used only in the hospital. It is taken by mouth for a short course after bowel resection surgery to help the intestines start working again, and it is limited to 15 doses over no more than 7 days. There is not enough human safety data in pregnancy, so it is used only when your surgeon and your obstetric clinician agree the benefit outweighs the unknown. You cannot fill it at a pharmacy for use at home, and it is not a treatment for ordinary constipation. If you are pregnant and facing bowel surgery, tell every clinician involved before the operation so the recovery plan accounts for it.