Targin®: An effective opiate analgesia with minimal gastrointestinal side effects—An observational study

Scott Jones; Maiko Smith; Jeremy Rossaak, MBBCh, FRACS, PhD

doi:10.5055/jom.2022.0721

Authors

Scott Jones
Maiko Smith
Jeremy Rossaak, MBBCh, FRACS, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9359-8579

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2022.0721

Keywords:

oxycodone, naloxone, post-operative ileus

Abstract

Objective: To examine the role of Targin® (oral oxycodone:naloxone combination) in the perioperative setting.

Design: A single center prospective observational pilot study at a regional hospital.

Setting: Thirty-eight eligible patients undergoing major general surgical operations were recruited. Thirty-two patients completed the study.

Interventions: Participants were given Targin twice daily from day 2 postoperatively with twice daily measures of pain scores, gut function, and mobility.

Main outcome measures: The primary end points were analgesic efficacy and the rate of ileus. Secondary end points were gastrointestinal (GI) recovery and the need for opioid requirement on discharge, at 1 week and 1 month.

Results: Average pain score over 5 days at rest was one and on movement was four out of 10. All patients mobilized to a chair by day 3. Twenty-six participants (81.3 percent) experienced nausea at some point during the study, and four participants (12.5 percent) were diagnosed with a post-operative ileus (POI). There was no serious adverse event reported. Only two patients were on opioids at 1-month discharge. This was due to them having Orthopaedic surgery not related to this study.

Conclusions: Targin appears to provide effective analgesia when used responsibly in elective post-operative GI surgical patients, with a low rate of POI and long-term opiate use.

Author Biographies

Scott Jones

Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, BOP, New Zealand

Maiko Smith

Department of Surgery, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, BOP, New Zealand

Jeremy Rossaak, MBBCh, FRACS, PhD

Department of Surgery, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, BOP, New Zealand; Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

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