Double-blind evaluation of transdermal nitroglycerine as adjuvant to oral morphine for cancer pain management.
OBJECTIVE
To examine analgesia and adverse effects following transdermal application of nitroglycerine (a nitric oxide generator) combined with oral morphine, in cancer pain patients.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital.


METHODS
36 patients suffering from cancer pain.


METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups (n = 18). All patients were regularly taking oral amitriptyline 50 mg at bedtime. Pain was evaluated using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). The morphine regimen was individually adjusted to a maximal oral dose of 80 to 90 mg/day, to maintain the VAS score less than 4/10 cm. When patients complained of pain (VAS equal or greater than 4/10), despite taking 80 to 90 mg of oral morphine daily, the transdermal test drug was supplemented as follows: the control group received a placebo patch daily, and the nitroglycerine group received a 5-mg/24-hour nitroglycerine patch daily. Patients were free to manipulate their daily morphine consumption at the time the test drug was administered, to keep VAS less than 4/10 cm. After the introduction of the transdermal test drug, patients were evaluated by the staff on a weekly basis as outpatients, over four consecutive weeks.


RESULTS
The groups were similar in respect to demographic data and VAS pain scores before the treatment. The daily consumption of oral morphine was smaller in the nitroglycerine group compared with the control group after the 14th day of evaluation (p < 0.002). Patients from the control group in general complained of somnolence, compared with the nitroglycerine group.


CONCLUSIONS
Transdermal nitroglycerine was an effective coadjuvant analgesic. In conjunction with its opioid tolerance sparing function, delivery of nitric oxide donors together with opioids may be of significant benefit in cancer pain management in delaying morphine tolerance and decreasing the incidence of adverse effects related to high doses of opioids.
Lauretti
Gabriela R
GR
Hospital das Clínicas, Department of Biomechanical and Medical Rehabilitation of the Locomotor Members, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. grlauret@fmrp.usp.br
Perez
Marcelo V
MV
Reis
Marlene P
MP
Pereira
Newton L
NL
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009020:Morphine; D005996:Nitroglycerin