Continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine for cancer pain control.
The continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine, a new approach to the relief of severe cancer pain, has been carried out using a portable infusion pump. The efficacy of this method was examined in 30 patients by visual analogue scale. An infusion rate of 4 micrograms/kg/day following intramuscular administration of 0.004 micrograms/kg gave satisfactory pain relief without serious complications. The minimum effective blood concentration was not detectable by high-performance liquid chromatography. Advantages of this therapy are its simplicity, applicability in many types of cancer, multiple sites of administration, and easier training on the part of health personnel.
Noda
J
J
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Umeda
S
S
Arai
T
T
Harima
A
A
Mori
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002047:Buprenorphine