title: Transdermal fentanyl for severe cancer-related pain.
abstract: A prospective phase II study was conducted to define the analgesic efficacy, acceptability and toxicity of the transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) of fentanyl in Chinese patients with severe cancer-related pain. A total of 14 patients was treated with TTS fentanyl at doses ranging from 25 to 100 micrograms h-1; initial doses were chosen according to their previous opioid requirement. Standard supportive therapy was given as required. A brief pain inventory (using a 10-point scale) was used to assess patients at days 0, 7 and 14. Pain control on day 14 with TTS fentanyl was successful in six patients, with a reduction in the common side-effects of other opioids and improvement in general well-being. Seven patients did not complete the 14-day trial: two developed dizziness and nausea within 3 h of application; and in five, TTS fentanyl was insufficiently flexible to control increasing pain during the first week. TTS fentanyl was effective and well tolerated in 43% of patients. Acute dizziness and nausea within the first few hours after application and the relative inflexibility of dose-adjustment both limited the use of TTS fentanyl.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nip
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl