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Short answer Starting alvimopan: what to know Common questions Related questions Sources**Alvimopan helps your bowel recover faster after surgery that removes part of your bowel and reconnects the remaining ends.**
It blocks the bowel-slowing effects of opioid pain medicines, helping you return to eating solid food and passing stool. You receive it only in the hospital, starting before surgery, with no more than 15 doses total. Your surgeon must review your recent opioid use because taking opioids for more than seven consecutive days immediately beforehand rules out alvimopan. Follow your surgical team's instructions for eating, drinking, and moving during recovery.
Starting alvimopan: what to know
Common questions
What is Alvimopan used for?
Alvimopan is a hospital medicine that helps your digestive system recover after surgery to remove part of your bowel and reconnect the ends. It blocks opioid effects in your gut, helping you eat solid food and pass stool sooner. You receive a dose before surgery, then twice daily starting the next day, for up to seven days after surgery or until discharge, whichever comes first. Treatment is limited to 15 doses. It is not a home treatment for constipation. Tell your surgeon about all recent opioid use: alvimopan must not be used if you took opioids for more than seven consecutive days immediately beforehand.