The use of transdermal fentanyl in cancer pain--a compliance study of outpatients in Taiwan.
The aim of this study is to investigate cancer patients' response and side effects associated with transdermal therapeutic fentanyl (TTS-F), whose pain was hardly controlled by nonweak/weak opioids in Taiwan. From 2005 to 2006, 822 outpatients received TTS-F to collect pain assessment forms and diaries for 4 weeks. Most (78.7%) patients were initially prescribed 25 microg/h TTS-F. Doses were adjusted weekly at clinicians' discretion, according to pain assessment and side effects. Patients receiving 50 microg/h, 75 microg/h, and > 75 microg/h TTS-F had increased from 17.5% to 32.1%, 1.8% to 3.4%, and 1.9% to 2.2%, respectively, by week 2; further small increases were found in weeks 3 and 4. Pain palliation improved from 60.6% during week 1 to 78.6% at week 4. The common adverse effects were nausea/vomiting. Patient's compliance was >90%. This study found that the TTS-F is effective and well tolerated.
Chiou
Tzeon-Jye
TJ
Department of Medicine, Division of Transfusion Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. tjchiou@vghtpe.gov.tw
Liu
Chun-Yu
CY
Tzeng
Woan-Fang
WF
Su
Yu-Chieh
YC
Weng
Yih-Chyang
YC
Hung
Chih-Jen
CJ
Tang
Yeh
Y
Chen
Yu-Jen
YJ
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl