Clinical observations on safety and efficacy of OxyContin® administered by rectal route in treating cancer related pain.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and adverse reactions of OxyContin® administered by rectal route in advanced cancer patients.


METHODS
Patients were enrolled into this study in which OxyContin was administered by the rectal route. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied to score pain intensity, separated into five degrees. National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) were adopted to record the side effects.


RESULTS
VAS scores were 10 before treatment, and decreased to 5-6 after OxyContin application by the rectal route.The main side effects were constipation, flatulence and fatigue,with no elevation of transaminases and creatinine.


CONCLUSIONS
OxyContin admistered by rectal route is safe for advanced cancer patients with satisfactory pain control effects, thus deserving further clinical observation.
Department of Chemotherapy, Affiliated Jiangsu Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. huangxinen06@yahoo.com.cn
Cheng-Guang
CG
Li
Xin-En
XE
Huang
Ying
Y
Li
Yan-Yan
YY
Lu
D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010098:Oxycodone