[Pharmacotherapy of cancer pain].
Pain is the most frequent cause of suffering of cancer patients. Recent improvements in pharmacotherapy of cancer pain have made management successful in the majority of patients. Optimal pharmacotherapy program requires careful assessment of the origin and cause of pain. The choice of analgetics should be sequentional using WHO stepladder. Oral application by the clock in an individually titrated dosage is recommended. Morphine remains the most useful opioid. Some drugs without being classic analgetics contribute considerably to the treatment of cancer pain of specific origin. Membrane-stabilisers, antidepressants and steroids are effective in the treatment of neurogenic pain. Anxiolytics should be avoided bacause they cause sedation without improving the quality of analgesia. Finally, it is necessary to treat the side effects of analgetics.
Radulović
S
S
Vuletić
L
L
Jelić
S
S
Kazić
T
T
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics