Naloxegol acts as a peripheral mu-opioid receptor antagonist with its effects primarily in which location?

Study for the Foundation Year Pharmacy – Clinical Practice Test. Prepare with detailed questions, step-by-step explanations, and test format insights. Enhance your readiness and confidence!

Multiple Choice

Naloxegol acts as a peripheral mu-opioid receptor antagonist with its effects primarily in which location?

Explanation:
Naloxegol is designed to act only outside the central nervous system, so its effects are concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract. By blocking mu-opioid receptors in the gut, it reverses opioid-induced slowed motility and constipation without reversing analgesia, because it has limited penetration of the blood-brain barrier due to its PEGylated, bulky structure. The liver and kidneys aren’t the primary sites for its therapeutic action—the gut is.

Naloxegol is designed to act only outside the central nervous system, so its effects are concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract. By blocking mu-opioid receptors in the gut, it reverses opioid-induced slowed motility and constipation without reversing analgesia, because it has limited penetration of the blood-brain barrier due to its PEGylated, bulky structure. The liver and kidneys aren’t the primary sites for its therapeutic action—the gut is.

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