The role of transdermal fentanyl patches in the effective management of cancer pain.
Transdermal fentanyl patches first became available in the early 1990s and provided an innovative treatment for the management of cancer pain. Since then, they have become a familiar and convenient method for providing analgesia for patients with stable levels of cancer pain. Transdermal delivery is more complex than oral administration and some specific factors need to be taken into consideration for the patches to be used appropriately and to their best advantage. This article will review the use of transdermal fentanyl, looking at their place in the overall therapy plan, the use of appropriate adjunctive prescribing and some specific practical and safety issues.
Gibbs
Margaret
M
St. Christopher's Hospice, London, England. m.gibbs@stchristophers.org.uk
D000208:Acute Disease; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012449:Safety; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl