Naldemedine, also known as Symproic, is an opioid receptor antagonist. It is used to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC). It is a modified form of Naltrexone to which a side chain has been added to increase molecular weight and polar surface area to restrict the blood-brain barrier transportation. This allows it to antagonize only the peripheral effects of opioid drugs such as constipation. It antagonizes mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors. The binding of opioid agonists to peripheral mu-opioid receptors slows the transit of feces through the intestine resulting in constipation. By antagonizing mu-opioid receptors, naldemedine inhibits this effect in the GI tract. The most common adverse effects of naldemedine are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gastroenteritis. This drug is administered as oral tablets only. Naldemedine inhibits the mu-opioid receptor located on neurons in the intestine. This inhibits the exchange of GTP for GDP which is required to activate the G-protein complex. This prevents the Gi subunit of the mu opioid receptor from inhibiting adenylate cyclase, which can therefore continue to catalyze ATP into cAMP. cAMP increases the excitability in spinal cord pain transmission neurons which allows the patient to feel pain rather than the analgesic effects of opioids. The inhibition of Mu-type opioid receptors also prevents the Gi subunit of the mu opioid receptor from activating the inwardly rectifying potassium channel increasing K+ conductance which would cause hyperpolarization. Naldemedine also prevents the gamma subunit of the mu opioid receptor from inhibiting the N-type calcium channels on the neuron. This allows calcium to enter the neuron and depolarize. The inhibition of mu-opioid receptors prevents hyperpolarization in the neuron, allowing it to fire at a normal rate. The neuron is able to depolarize and the high concentration of calcium releases acetylcholine and nitric acid into the neuromuscular junction. Acetylcholine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the smooth muscles of the intestines, causing muscle contraction. The nitric oxide diffuses into the myocyte and causes muscle relaxation. The rythmic action of the neurotransmitters creates the peristalsis and the good GI transit.

Naldemedine Opioid Antagonist Pathway References