Transdermal buprenorphine in children with cancer-related pain.
We present three cases of children (aged 3-5 years) in which cancer-related pain was adequately controlled by Transdermal Buprenorphine. The endpoints for evaluating analgesic efficacy consisted of the assessment of pain using a visual scale and the possibility of reducing other pain treatment. Improvement of pain level was demonstrated by the decrease in pain scores, by reduction of the overall amount of medications, especially opioids, and by improvement of uninterrupted sleep. Only limited data is available on the use of Transdermal Buprenorphine in children. In our experience, Transdermal Buprenorphine allowed good analgesia without significant side effects in these three children with cancer-related pain.
Attinà
Giorgio
G
Division of Paediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. gioatt@hotmail.com
Ruggiero
Antonio
A
Maurizi
Palma
P
Arlotta
Annalisa
A
Chiaretti
Antonio
A
Riccardi
Riccardo
R
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine