alvimopan

Definition / meaning of alvimopan

A synthetic trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl) piperidine with peripherally selective opioid mu receptor antagonist activity. Alvimopan is a selective and competitive antagonist at mu-opioid receptors, found in myenteric and submucosal neurons andthe immune cells of the lamina propria in the human gut. Upon administration, this agent binds to mu-opioid receptors in the gut, thereby reversing opiod-related disturbances in gut motility. Alvimopan is approximately three to nine times more potent than naloxone.

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Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

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