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Molecule

Methylnaltrexone

Also known as methylnaltrexone bromide
Available on requestGastroenterology
Presentations
3
Brands
1
Manufacturers
1
Available from stock
0

Methylnaltrexone is an opioid antagonist indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment, among other approved uses. MedsAcross supplies Methylnaltrexone for export from India to licensed hospitals, importers and physicians acting for named patients, with the documents each country requires.

Information from the US FDA prescribing information, retrieved 12 November 2026. Not yet medically reviewed.How we review

Key facts

Pharmacological class
Opioid Antagonist, Opioid Antagonists
ATC classification
A06AH01 Methylnaltrexone · Laxatives, subgroup A06A, subgroup A06AH
US FDA first approval
24 April 2008
EU status
Authorised
Orphan designation
No
WHO essential medicine
Not recorded
India (CDSCO)
Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists
Routes
Subcutaneous, Oral
Dosage forms
Injection, Tablet
Identifiers
UNII RFO6IL3D3MRxCUI 29899CAS 83387-25-1Q411515

Clinical information

From the regulator-approved product information. Each section names its source.

Uses

• RELISTOR is an opioid antagonist. RELISTOR tablets and RELISTOR injection are indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. • RELISTOR injection is indicated for the treatment of OIC in adults with advanced illness or pain caused by active cancer who require opioid dosage escalation for palliative care.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

How it works

Methylnaltrexone is a selective antagonist of opioid binding at the mu-opioid receptor. As a quaternary amine, the ability of methylnaltrexone to cross the blood-brain barrier is restricted. This allows methylnaltrexone to function as a peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist in tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, thereby decreasing the constipating effects of opioids without impacting opioid-mediated analgesic effects on the central nervous system (CNS).

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Dosing overview

Administration Instructions. • Be within close proximity to toilet facilities once administered. • Discontinue if treatment with opioid pain medication is also discontinued. • In adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain and OIC: o Patients receiving opioids for less than 4 weeks may be less responsive to RELISTOR. o Discontinue all maintenance laxative therapy before starting RELISTOR, may resume laxatives if there is a suboptimal response to RELISTOR after 3 days. o Re-evaluate the continued need for RELISTOR when opioid regimen is changed to avoid adverse reactions. • In patients with chronic non-cancer pain and OIC, take RELISTOR tablets with water on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before the first meal of the day.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Contraindications

RELISTOR is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction and patients at increased risk of recurrent obstruction, due to the potential for gastrointestinal perforation. Patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction and at increased risk of recurrent obstruction.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Warnings and precautions

• Gastrointestinal Perforation: Consider the overall risk benefit in patients with known or suspected lesions of the GI tract. Monitor for severe, persistent or worsening abdominal pain, discontinue if development of symptoms. • Severe or Persistent Diarrhea: Discontinue if severe or persistent diarrhea occurs during treatment. • Opioid Withdrawal: Consider the overall risk benefit in patients with disruptions to the blood-brain barrier. Monitor closely for symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Side effects

Serious and important adverse reactions described elsewhere in the labeling include: • Gastrointestinal perforation • Severe or persistent diarrhea • Opioid withdrawal The most common adverse reactions are: OIC in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain. • RELISTOR tablets (≥ 2%): abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, abdominal distention, vomiting, hyperhidrosis, anxiety, muscle spasms, rhinorrhea, and chills. • RELISTOR injection (≥ 1%): abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, hyperhidrosis, hot flush, tremor, and chills. OIC in adult patients with advanced illness. • RELISTOR injection (≥ 5%): abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Interactions

• Other Opioid Antagonists: Potential for additive effect and increased risk of opioid withdrawal, avoid concomitant use. Other Opioid Antagonists Avoid concomitant use of RELISTOR with other opioid antagonists because of the potential for additive effects of opioid receptor antagonism and increased risk of opioid withdrawal. Drugs Metabolized by Cytochrome P450 Isozymes In healthy subjects, a subcutaneous dose of 0.3 mg/kg of RELISTOR did not significantly affect the metabolism of dextromethorphan, a CYP2D6 substrate.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Storage

Storage Tablets Store at up to 25°C (77°F), excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Injection Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Do not freeze. Protect from light.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

For healthcare professionals and buyers. This is not medical advice. Treatment decisions belong to the prescriber.

All presentations

3 presentations of Methylnaltrexone, sorted by availability.

MedicineManufacturerRegisterAvailability
Relistor 12 mg/0.6 mL injectionSubcutaneousSalix PharmaceuticalsUS FDAAvailable on request
Relistor 150 mg tabletOralSalix PharmaceuticalsUS FDAAvailable on request
Relistor 8 mg/0.4 mL injectionSubcutaneousSalix PharmaceuticalsUS FDAAvailable on request

Brands by market

1 brand names across 1 markets.

Brand names by country

United States

Manufacturers

Regulatory status

Approval facts from US FDA, EMA and CDSCO data, and registration status by country where we hold register data.

RegisterStatusSource
US FDAFirst approved 24 April 2008Drugs@FDA
EU (EMA)AuthorisedEMA medicines data
India (CDSCO)Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists—
AustriaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BelgiumRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BulgariaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CroatiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CyprusRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CzechiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
DenmarkRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
EstoniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FinlandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FranceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GermanyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GreeceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
HungaryRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IcelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IrelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
ItalyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LatviaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LiechtensteinRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LithuaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LuxembourgRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
MaltaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NetherlandsRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NorwayRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PolandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PortugalRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
RomaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SlovakiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SloveniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SpainRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SwedenRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
United StatesRegisteredUS FDA (NDC directory, openFDA)Checked 12 November 2026

Conditions

Conditions linked to Methylnaltrexone in public data. This is not a list of approved uses, see the clinical information.

Questions and answers

Is Methylnaltrexone available for export from India?

Yes, on request. MedsAcross lists 3 presentations of Methylnaltrexone and sources them for licensed hospitals, importers and physicians against valid import documents.

What brand names does Methylnaltrexone have?

The catalogue lists 1 brand names for Methylnaltrexone, including Relistor.

Is Methylnaltrexone approved by the US FDA?

Yes. The US FDA first approved Methylnaltrexone on 24 April 2008, according to Drugs@FDA.

Is Methylnaltrexone authorised in the European Union?

Yes. Methylnaltrexone has a central EU marketing authorisation (status: authorised), according to European Medicines Agency data.

Does Methylnaltrexone need cold chain shipping?

No listed presentation of Methylnaltrexone is recorded as needing a cold chain. Storage conditions are shown on each presentation page.

Which ATC class is Methylnaltrexone in?

Methylnaltrexone is classified under ATC code A06AH01 (Methylnaltrexone).

References

  1. Relistor prescribing information (Salix Pharmaceuticals). U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Retrieved 1 May 2024
  2. Relistor: European public assessment report (EPAR). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2026

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