RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 ▼Targinact – opioid pain relief without constipation? JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO Drug Ther Bull FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 138 OP 141 DO 10.1136/dtb.2010.12.0061 VO 48 IS 12 YR 2010 UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/48/12/138.abstract AB Relevant BNF section: BNF 4.7.2 ▼Targinact (Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd) is a modified-release combination product containing the strong opioid oxycodone plus the opioid antagonist naloxone. It is licensed for “severe pain, which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics”.1 The summary of product characteristics (SPC) states that “naloxone is added to counteract opioid-induced constipation by blocking the action of oxycodone at opioid receptors locally in the gut”. Advertising for the product claims “better pain relief”, “superior GI [gastrointestinal] tolerability” and “improved quality of life” “compared to previous treatment in a clinical practice study (n=7836)”. Here we consider whether Targinact offers advantages over using strong opioids plus laxatives where required.