FACULTY
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPh
Bernhardt Professor of Pharmaceutics, Nonprescription Products and Devices
Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy
Weatherford, OK

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
W. Steven Pray has no real or apparent conflicts of interest in relation to this program.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS
Pharmacy
Postgraduate Healthcare Education, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Program No.: 430-000-07-027-H01-P; 430-000-07-027-H01-T
Credits: 2.0 hours (0.20 ceu)

Published: December 1, 2007
Expires: December 31, 2009

Media: Monograph

Fee Information:
There is no fee for this educational program.

Estimated time to complete activity:
Estimated time to complete this program and posttest is 90 to 120 minutes.

Exam processing inquiries and booklet orders to:
CE Customer Service Manager (800) 825-4696

Direct educational content inquiries to:
CE Director (800) 331-9396

TARGET AUDIENCE
This educational program is targeted to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

PROCEDURES
Please complete the posttest questions and program evaluation online at: www.powerpak.com (a username and password are required to access your account). Upon passing the exam with a score of 70% or better, you can print out your statement of credit immediately. You can also view your test history at any time and print out duplicate statements from the Web site.

GOAL
To educate pharmacists on the etiology and pathophysiology of constipation, especially as it relates to pain medication-induced constipation, and provide them with guidelines for appropriate use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for managing pain medication-induced constipation.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this program, participants will be able to:

1. Provide a basic overview of constipation, especially as it relates to pain medication-induced constipation;*
2. Discuss the etiology and pathophysiology of pain medication-induced constipation;*
3. Describe the differences among the major types of laxatives;*
4. Identify appropriate nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions for the management of pain medication-induced constipation;* and
5. List strategies pharmacists may employ to educate, counsel, and monitor their patients with pain medication-induced constipation, including an appropriate stepped approach to the use of laxatives and stool softeners.

*Also applies to pharmacy technicians.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of Postgraduate Healthcare Education, LLC and Purdue Pharma L.P. Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patients’ conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

The author, sponsor, and publisher of this continuing education program have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of acceptance for publication. However, because information regarding drugs (their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, precautions, etc.) is subject to constant change, the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosages and potential problems and cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug. Special precautions should be taken when a drug is new, or highly toxic, or is unfamiliar to the dispenser or administrant. This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neither the publisher nor sponsor promotes the use of any agent outside of approved labeling. Statements made in this monograph have not been evaluated by the FDA. Nutritional products discussed are not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.