Therapy for Constipation

Abstract

A method is disclosed of treating acute, sub-acute or chronic constipation in a patient having a condition requiring such treatment. The method includes administering a lipase inhibitor.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of treating acute, sub-acute or chronic constipation in a patient having a condition requiring such treatment, comprising the administration of a lipase inhibitor. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lipase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: orlistat, atl-962 (cetalstat) and gt389-255, saponins, platycodin saponins, scabio saponins, sessiloside and chiisanoside, chikusetsusaponins, dioscin and derivatives, escins, teasaponins, cyclocariosides, polyphenoics, oolong tea polyphenols, polyphenol rich extracts including grape seed extract, nelumbo nucifera extract, salacia reticulata hot water extract, peanut shell extract, mangifera indica leaf and steam bark extracts, ct-ii extracts, terpenes including carnosic acid, crocin and crocetin and pancreatic lipase inhibitors from microbial sources such as lipstatin. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of opiod administration, dehydration, lazy bowel, paralytic bowel, menstruation related constipation, bowel resection and being bedridden. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lipase inhibtor is administered topically, IM, IV, SC, or mucosally. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the preferred lipase inhibitor is orlistat or cetalstat. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating chronic pain comprising administering a pain medication in combination with a lipase inhibitor. 
     
     
         7 . A composition for the treatment of chronic constipation comprising 30 to 150 mg of a lipase inhibitor. 
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said composition is formulated for oral administration. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the composition is in the form of a tablet, lozenge, pill, troche, capsule, soft-gel capsule, sachet or other combining vehicle, elixir, powder, including lyophilised powder, solution, granule, suspension, emulsion, syrup or tincture. Slow-release, or delayed-release, forms may also be prepared, for example in the form of coated particles, multi-layer tablets or microgranules. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 7  provided in a compliance-enhancing blister pack