Abstract

CEVAS, J. et al. Use of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for therapeutic rescue in patients receiving high doses of opiates. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2005, vol.12, n.5, pp.277-282. ISSN 1134-8046.

The management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients treated with high doses of opiates raises particular problems, such as the election of the drug to be used, the appropriate dosage and the route of administration. No clear guidelines on this issue are found in the medical literature, so each service decides its own particular way of acting. In this paper we review the cases dealt with over a one-year period in terms of the use of high doses of opiates in cancer patients taken care of in 2003 and treated with opiates. Objectives: -To study the group of patients treated with high doses of opiates. -To use OTFC as rescue drug for breakthrough pain events. -To analyze side and toxic effects. -To determine the preferences of the patients. Material and methods: A population of 280 patients with advanced cancer, 25 of which were receiving high doses of opiates. In these patients, breakthrough pain crises were managed with OTFC, starting with 400 micrograms. The satisfaction questionnaire proposed by Kornick was used. Results: -Easy adherence to treatment. -Average effective dose of OTFC: 600 micrograms, median of 627. -Dose titration on the second day. -Seventeen patients preferred OTFC, 6 preferred oral morphine and 2 were indifferent. Conclusions: Easy use of OTFC for the management of breakthrough pain, requiring low doses compared to the total daily dose of the patient. Patient education is required before its administration.

Keywords : Breakthrough pain; Transmucosal fentanyl citrate; High doses of opiates.

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