title: [Transdermal route as an alternative to oral administration of opioids in cancer pain].
abstract: Fentanyl TTS, the only transdermal opioid, represents a real tool for a better quality of life in patients with cancer pain. In this paper we report a short description of the pharmacologic properties and administration procedures of this drug that is a useful alternative when other opioids recommended on the third step of the WHO analgesic ladder, are ineffective or present unbearable side effects (nausea and/or vomiting-severe mucosites and dysphagia). In particular we indicated some changes and adjustments switching from morphine per os to fentanyl TTS. In addition we report the results of a study carried out in our Pain Therapy Center on 49 patients with severe oncologic pain, previously treated with opioids and other drugs associations. Our results indicated a good control of continuous nociceptive cancer pain, with a better quality of life and lesser side effects to respect the previous regime of orally opioids.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Regina Elena, Servizio di Terapia del Dolore e Rianimazione, Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burza
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ginobbi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laurenzi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arcuri
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D005283:Fentanyl
vernacular_title: La via transdermica come alternativa agli oppioidi per os nel dolore oncologico.