Laxative medications such as Senna, Colace, and Miralax, can all be useful to combat opioid-induced constipation. Eating small meals and drinking lots of water can be helpful as well. Diets that are rich in fiber can also help to increase stool bulk and improve constipation symptoms.
Opioid-induced constipation can be a frustrating, chronic problem for patients on opioids and sometimes for patients on Suboxone, but to a lesser extent. Opioid medications bind to receptors all over the body, not just the brain. This means they also bind to opioid receptors in the stomach and small intestines. When they bind to receptors in our gastrointestinal tract, they can cause less motility/movement of the smooth muscle that normally transports food through our gastrointestinal tract, leading to constipation.
Suboxone is a partial opioid and so it too can cause constipation, although often to a lesser extent than a full opioid.
