Phase 4 N=65 Randomized Treatment

Alvimopan as a Rescue Treatment of Postoperative Ileus

Ileus · Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04405037 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Aug 2025

Primary outcome: Primary: Hospital Length of Stay — 5; 6 days

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 4
Interventions: Alvimopan (Drug)
Age: Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: Scott Steele
Primary completion: Apr 2024

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Hospital Length of Stay	5; 6	—
SECONDARY Time to Return of Bowel Function	1; 2	—
SECONDARY Number of Participants With Re-operation	3; 0	—
SECONDARY Number of Participants With Re-admissions	7; 5	—

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the cost effectiveness of Alvimopan as rescue therapy in patients undergoing colorectal or small bowel resection who develop POI, and its safety and effectiveness in reducing LOS and POI duration. This will be a prospective randomized control trial with a total of 58 patients, 29 in each group. Patients who undergo laparoscopic or open colorectal resection, small bowel resection, or ileostomy reversal with small bowel resection that subsequently develop postoperative ileus will be eligible for enrollment. If they meet inclusion/exclusion criteria, they will be randomized at the time of diagnosis of postoperative ileus to receive Alvimopan as rescue therapy or to receive conservative standard care. Patients randomized to the study group will be given a maximum of 3 doses of Alvimopan 12mg orally, 12 hours apart. Alvimopan will be given from the time of diagnosis of postoperative ileus to the time of return of bowel function or the maximum 3 doses. Subsequent Alvimopan doses will be given if there is no return of bowel function or if symptoms of distension and/or nausea persist despite some return of bowel function.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subjects who have benign or malignant colonic or rectal disease that have undergone laparoscopic or open colorectal resection, small bowel resection or ileostomy reversal with small bowel resection and subsequently developed postoperative ileus, defined as:

a. Patients with symptoms of bloating with or without nausea and vomiting, with absence of passage of flatus or stool who require either

i. Return to NPO status after initial diet attempts

ii. Undergo placement of a nasogastric tube

b. Patients with absence of passage of flatus or stool who are either

i. More than 5 days after open surgery without recovery of GI function

ii. More than 3 days after laparoscopic surgery or ileostomy closure without recovery of GI function

Subjects who are 18 years of age and older
Subjects of either gender
Subjects who are willing and able to adhere to protocol requirements, agree to participate in the study program and provide written and informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Subjects who received Alvimopan preoperatively.
Subjects that have taken therapeutic doses of opioids for more than 7 days immediately prior to surgery.
Subjects with severe hepatic impairment.
Subjects with end-stage renal disease.
Subjects who are pregnant.
Subjects who have undergone imaging suggesting a small bowel obstruction.
Subjects with a medical condition that may interfere with the use of the study medication Alvimopan.
Subjects who have a condition or general disability or infirmity that in the opinion of the investigator precludes further participation in the study

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04405037). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.