Prevention of opioid-associated constipation in ventilated intensive care patients

This study will provide information as to whether administration of naloxone to the gut prevents constipation (and its associated complications) in ICU patients; this is important, as it will potentially improve patient comfort, reduce the amount of interventions needed during a patient’s stay in ICU, and may reduce the amount of time that they require ICU care. In this study, one group of ventilated patients will receive a combined preparation of naloxone, while a second group will receive a placebo fluid only, This will be administered via a tube, placed via the nose, in the patient's stomach. This allows us to compare the effect of naloxone on gut function. We hypothesise that administering naloxone will reduce rates of constipation in ICU patients.