The Effectiveness of Transdermal Fentanyl Patch in Cancer Pain Patients. |
Dong Hee Kim, Sang Chul Lee |
1Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheon an, Korea. 2Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of a dose conversion table from oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl patch (TDFP) and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDFP in the treatment of cancer pain. METHODS Sixty cancer patients whose pain had been stabilized with oral morphine for at least 48 hours (morphine phase) were switched to TDFP using standard conversion chart for fentanyl dosage. TDFP were replaced every 72 hours for 9 days (fentanyl phase). Assessment of pain, nausea, vomiting, pruritus and somnolence were recorded as visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS Patients' pain assessment and side effects were not significantly different during both phases. But ten patients reported some skin reactions to the patch, such as erythema, itching, and papules. CONCLUSIONS TDFP were well tolerated and provided pain relief in cancer patients equivalent to that achieved with oral morphine. |
Key Words:
Analgesia: transdermal delivery; Analgesics: fentanyl; Pain: cancer |
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