title: Transdermal therapeutic fentanyl-system (TTS-F).
abstract: Fentanyl, a surgical analgesic and general anaesthetic, is a lipophilic short-acting synthetic opioid, having a selective potent effect on mu receptors. The transdermal therapeutic fentanyl-system (TTS-F) allows for a continued and sustained titratable amount of fentanyl to be delivered without the inconvenience of the typical 24-h administration of other analgesics. Although incidences of respiratory depression led to TTS-F being contraindicated for postoperative analgesia, it is currently undergoing Phase III trials for nociceptive, neuropathic and chronic moderate to severe pain in a variety of settings. It demonstrates a slow pharmacokinetic profile and incidences of breakthrough pain may still require rapid analgesia, for which intravenous and bolus administration of rapid acting opioids remain 'gold standard' However, TTS-F is finding uses for chronic pain of cancer origin where it offers a solution for step 3-pain (WHO) management on the WHO analgesic ladder. More recent data indicates that TTS-F is not only effective for neuropathic but also nociceptive non-cancer and cancer pain alike. This review presents an overview of the synthesis, delivery, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and clinical pharmacology of the transdermal delivery of fentanyl.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Korinthias 27, Athens 115 26, Greece. mistakidou@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kyriaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mystakidou
authors.forename: Emmanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katsouda
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsilika
authors.forename: Efi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parpa
authors.forename: Lambros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vlahos
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl