NALDEMEDINE: 677 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
Boost Your Natural Energy & Metabolism
Mitolyn — 6 exotic plants to unlock your body's fat-burning power. 90-day guarantee.
Drug Class: Opioid Antagonist [EPC] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: BioDelivery Sciences International Inc · FDA Application: 208854 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
Patent Expires: Oct 5, 2026 · First Report: 2012 · Latest Report: 20250730
What Are the Most Common NALDEMEDINE Side Effects?
All NALDEMEDINE Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea | 144 | 21.3% | 28 | 26 |
| Drug ineffective | 92 | 13.6% | 2 | 1 |
| Abdominal pain | 68 | 10.0% | 5 | 7 |
| Constipation | 47 | 6.9% | 7 | 8 |
| Nausea | 42 | 6.2% | 6 | 6 |
| Death | 28 | 4.1% | 28 | 2 |
| Malignant neoplasm progression | 27 | 4.0% | 25 | 3 |
| Vomiting | 27 | 4.0% | 0 | 8 |
| Drug withdrawal syndrome | 24 | 3.6% | 0 | 1 |
| Neoplasm malignant | 24 | 3.6% | 23 | 1 |
| Abdominal pain upper | 20 | 3.0% | 0 | 1 |
| Lung neoplasm malignant | 20 | 3.0% | 19 | 6 |
| Delirium | 18 | 2.7% | 5 | 1 |
| Drug interaction | 15 | 2.2% | 0 | 1 |
| Abdominal discomfort | 14 | 2.1% | 0 | 4 |
| Hyperhidrosis | 13 | 1.9% | 0 | 0 |
| Abdominal distension | 12 | 1.8% | 1 | 5 |
| Toxic epidermal necrolysis | 12 | 1.8% | 12 | 0 |
| Dehydration | 10 | 1.5% | 2 | 7 |
| Pancreatic carcinoma | 10 | 1.5% | 10 | 0 |
Who Reports NALDEMEDINE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 54.4% female, 45.6% male. Average age: 66.5 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is NALDEMEDINE Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 45 | 25 | 9 |
| 2018 | 79 | 24 | 26 |
| 2019 | 42 | 9 | 13 |
| 2020 | 28 | 4 | 7 |
| 2021 | 26 | 0 | 10 |
| 2022 | 23 | 7 | 3 |
| 2023 | 17 | 3 | 7 |
| 2024 | 19 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | 20 | 12 | 3 |
What Is NALDEMEDINE Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Constipation | 340 |
| Product used for unknown indication | 296 |
| Constipation prophylaxis | 6 |
NALDEMEDINE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Other Drugs in Same Class: Opioid Antagonist [EPC]
Official FDA Label for NALDEMEDINE
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
SYMPROIC (naldemedine), an opioid antagonist, contains naldemedine tosylate as the active ingredient. The chemical name for naldemedine tosylate is: 17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-6,7-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3,6,14-trihydroxy-N-[2-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)propan-2-yl]morphinan-7-carboxamide 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid. The structural formula is: The empirical formula for naldemedine tosylate is C 32 H 34 N 4 O 6 ∙C 7 H 8 O 3 S and the molecular weight is 742.84. Naldemedine tosylate is a white to light tan powder, soluble in dimethylsulfoxide and methanol, slightly soluble in alcohol and water, and independent of pH. SYMPROIC (naldemedine) tablets for oral use contain 0.2 mg naldemedine (equivalent to 0.26 mg of naldemedine tosylate). Excipients are: D-mannitol, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, talc, and yellow ferric oxide.
Chemical
Structure
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
AND USAGE SYMPROIC is indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. SYMPROIC is an opioid antagonist indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
AND ADMINISTRATION Administration ( 2.1 ) : Alteration of analgesic dosing regimen prior to initiating SYMPROIC is not required Patients receiving opioids for less than 4 weeks may be less responsive to SYMPROIC Discontinue SYMPROIC if treatment with the opioid pain medication is also discontinued Dosage ( 2.2 ) : In adults, the recommended dosage is 0.2 mg once daily with or without food
2.1 Administration Alteration of analgesic dosing regimen prior to initiating SYMPROIC is not required. Patients receiving opioids for less than 4 weeks may be less responsive to SYMPROIC <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies (14) ]</span> . Discontinue SYMPROIC if treatment with the opioid pain medication is also discontinued.
2.2 Adult Dosage The recommended dosage of SYMPROIC is 0.2 mg orally once daily with or without food.
Contraindications
SYMPROIC is contraindicated in: Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction and patients at increased risk of recurrent obstruction, due to the potential for gastrointestinal perforation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to naldemedine. Reactions have included bronchospasm and rash [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction or at increased risk of recurrent obstruction ( 4 , 5.1 ) Patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to naldemedine ( 6.1 )
Known Adverse Reactions
REACTIONS Serious and important adverse reactions described elsewhere in labeling include: Gastrointestinal perforation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Opioid withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) are: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and gastroenteritis ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. at 1-800-469-0261 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to SYMPROIC in 1163 patients in clinical trials, including 487 patients with exposures greater than six months and 203 patients with exposures of 12 months. The following safety data are derived from three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with OIC and chronic non-cancer pain: two 12-week studies (Studies 1 and 2) and one 52-week study (Study 3) <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies (14) ]</span>.
In Studies
1 and 2, patients on laxatives were required to discontinue their use prior to study enrollment. All patients were restricted to bisacodyl rescue treatment during the study.
In Study
3, approximately 60% of patients in both treatment groups were on a laxative regimen at baseline; patients were allowed to continue using their laxative regimen throughout the study duration. The safety profile of SYMPROIC relative to placebo was similar regardless of laxative use.
Tables
1 and 2 list common adverse reactions occurring in at least 2% of patients receiving SYMPROIC and at an incidence greater than placebo.
Table
1 shows pooled 12-week data from Studies 1 and 2.
Table
2 shows 12-week data from Study 3.
Table
1: Common Adverse Reactions Adverse reactions occurring in at least 2% of patients receiving SYMPROIC and at an incidence greater than placebo in Patients with OIC and Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (12-week data from Studies 1 and 2)
Adverse
Reaction SYMPROIC 0.2 mg once daily N=542 Placebo N=546 Abdominal pain Abdominal pain includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper, gastrointestinal pain. 8% 2% Diarrhea 7% 2% Nausea 4% 2% Gastroenteritis 2% 1% Table 2: Common Adverse Reactions Adverse reactions occurring in at least 2% of patients receiving SYMPROIC and at an incidence greater than placebo in Patients with OIC and Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (12-week data from Study 3)
Adverse
Reaction SYMPROIC 0.2 mg once daily N=621 Placebo N=619 Abdominal pain Abdominal pain includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper. 11% 5% Diarrhea 7% 3% Nausea 6% 5% Vomiting 3% 2% Gastroenteritis 3% 1% Adverse reactions up to 12 months in Study 3 are similar to those listed in Tables 1 and 2 (diarrhea: 11% vs. 5%, abdominal pain: 8% vs. 3%, and nausea: 8% vs. 6% for SYMPROIC and placebo, respectively).
Opioid Withdrawal In Studies
1, 2 and 3, adverse reactions consistent with opioid withdrawal were based on investigator assessment and adjudicated based upon the occurrence of at least 3 adverse reactions potentially related to opioid withdrawal with onset of a constellation of those symptoms occurring on the same day or within one day of each other. Adverse reactions of possible opioid withdrawal could include non-gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (e.g., hyperhidrosis, hot flush or flushing, chills, tremor, tachycardia, anxiety, agitation, yawning, rhinorrhea, increased lacrimation, sneezing, feeling cold, and pyrexia), GI symptoms (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain), or both GI and non-GI symptoms. In pooled Studies 1 and 2, the incidence of adverse reactions of opioid withdrawal was 1% (8/542) for SYMPROIC and 1% (3/546) for placebo.
In Study
3 (52-week data), the incidence was 3% (20/621) for SYMPROIC and 1% (9/619) for placebo. Most SYMPROIC treated subjects experienced nearly equal incidence of GI only or both GI and non-GI symptoms.
Less Common Adverse
Reactions: Two patients developed symptoms of hypersensitivity following a single dose of SYMPROIC. One patient reported bronchospasm and another rash.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of SYMPROIC. Because reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Gastrointestinal disorders : Gastrointestinal perforation <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]</span>.
Warnings
AND PRECAUTIONS Gastrointestinal perforation : Consider the overall risk benefit in patients with known or suspected lesions of the GI tract. Monitor for severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain; discontinue if development of symptoms ( 5.1 ) Opioid withdrawal : Consider the overall risk benefit in patients with disruptions to the blood-brain barrier. Monitor symptoms of opioid withdrawal ( 5.2 )
5.1 Gastrointestinal Perforation Cases of gastrointestinal (GI) perforation have been reported with use of another peripherally acting opioid antagonist, including SYMPROIC. Postmarketing cases of GI perforation, including fatal cases, were reported when SYMPROIC was used in patients at risk of GI perforation (e.g., GI cancer, past GI surgery, diverticulitis, chemotherapy/radiation). SYMPROIC is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction or in patients at risk of recurrent obstruction. Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when using SYMPROIC in patients with these conditions or other conditions which might result in impaired integrity of the gastrointestinal tract wall (e.g., Crohn's disease). Monitor for the development of severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain; discontinue SYMPROIC in patients who develop this symptom.
5.2 Opioid Withdrawal Clusters of symptoms consistent with opioid withdrawal, including hyperhidrosis, chills, increased lacrimation, hot flush/flushing, pyrexia, sneezing, feeling cold, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have occurred in patients treated with SYMPROIC <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]</span> . Patients having disruptions to the blood-brain barrier may be at increased risk for opioid withdrawal or reduced analgesia. Take into account the overall risk-benefit profile when using SYMPROIC in such patients. Monitor for symptoms of opioid withdrawal in such patients.
Drug Interactions
INTERACTIONS Table 3 includes drugs with clinically important drug interactions with SYMPROIC and instructions for preventing or managing the interaction.
Table
3: Clinically Relevant Interactions Affecting Naldemedine When Co-Administered with Other Drugs Strong CYP3A Inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's Wort)
Clinical Impact
Significant decrease in plasma naldemedine concentrations, which may reduce efficacy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]
Intervention
Avoid use of SYMPROIC with strong CYP3A inducers.
Other Opioid Antagonists Clinical Impact
Potential for additive effect of opioid receptor antagonism and increased risk of opioid withdrawal.
Intervention
Avoid use of SYMPROIC with another opioid antagonist. Moderate (e.g., fluconazole, atazanavir, aprepitant, diltiazem, erythromycin) and Strong (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, saquinavir) CYP3A Inhibitors Clinical Impact Increase in plasma naldemedine concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]
Intervention
Monitor for potential naldemedine-related adverse reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . P-glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors (e.g., amiodarone, captopril, cyclosporine, quercetin, quinidine, verapamil)
Clinical Impact
Increase in plasma naldemedine concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]
Intervention
Monitor for potential naldemedine-related adverse reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin) : Decreased naldemedine concentrations; avoid concomitant use ( 7 ) Other opioid antagonists : Potential for additive effect and increased risk of opioid withdrawal; avoid concomitant use ( 7 ) Moderate (e.g., fluconazole) and strong (e.g., itraconazole) CYP3A4 inhibitors : Increased naldemedine concentrations; monitor for adverse reactions ( 7 ) P-gp inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine) : Monitor for adverse reactions ( 7 )