title: Conversion from standard opioid therapy to once-daily oral extended-release hydromorphone in patients with chronic cancer pain.
abstract: This open-label, multicenter study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of conversion to once-daily OROS hydromorphone from previous opioid agonist therapy in patients with chronic cancer pain. Patients were stabilized on their previous therapy before conversion at a 5:1 ratio of morphine sulfate to hydromorphone hydrochloride. The OROS hydromorphone dose was titrated over 3 - 21 days to achieve effective analgesia and was maintained for up to 14 days. Efficacy was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Adverse events and vital signs were monitored. Dose stabilization was achieved in 119 of the 127 (94%) patients who received the study medication; in 77%, stabilization was achieved with no titration steps. Mean BPI pain intensity ratings and BPI pain interference scores decreased significantly after OROS hydromorphone treatment compared with pretreatment values. Mean pain-relief level remained stable after conversion and throughout treatment with OROS hydromorphone. Adverse events were as expected for cancer patients receiving opioid agonists. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Medical Center, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rauck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moulin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thipphawong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Tudor
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004091:Hydromorphone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004091:Hydromorphone