title: Patient Satisfaction with Fentanyl Sublingual Spray in Opioid-Tolerant Patients with Breakthrough Cancer Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) is associated with decreased satisfaction with around-the-clock opioid therapy. This analysis examined patient satisfaction with fentanyl sublingual spray for BTCP during the open-label titration period of a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Opioid-tolerant patients with 1 to 4 daily BTCP episodes were included. During a 26-day, open-label titration phase, a successful dose (100 to 1600 mcg) of fentanyl sublingual spray was established that provided effective analgesia for 2 consecutive BTCP episodes with tolerable side effects. The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) was administered at baseline to assess satisfaction with previous BTCP medication and at the end of the titration to assess satisfaction with fentanyl sublingual spray.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 130 enrolled patients, 115 (88.5%) had a TSQM measure at baseline and at the end of their titration period. Scores on all 4 TSQM domains increased from baseline to end of the titration, with mean (standard error [SE]) improvements of 22.3 (2.3) for effectiveness, 7.7 (3.2) for side effects, 6.8 (2.2) for convenience, and 12.9 (2.8) for global satisfaction (P < 0.05 for all). Satisfaction with symptom relief (26.1% to 77.4%) and onset of action (21.7% to 82.6%) also improved from baseline to end of titration. At least one adverse event (AE) was reported by 78 patients (60.0%). The most common AEs considered possibly or probably related to study medication were dizziness, somnolence, and nausea (n = 10 [7.7%] each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate markedly improved satisfaction among patients receiving fentanyl sublingual spray relative to previous BTCP medications.
authors: The Center for Clinical Research, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Rauck
authors: INSYS Therapeutics, Inc., Chandler, Arizona, U.S.A.
authors: Neha
authors: N
authors: Parikh
authors: INSYS Therapeutics, Inc., Chandler, Arizona, U.S.A.
authors: Larry
authors: L
authors: Dillaha
authors: Baylor Research Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Barker
authors: The Center for Pain and Supportive Care, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Stearns
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059390:Breakthrough Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl
keywords: breakthrough pain; cancer; fentanyl; opioid; patient satisfaction; sublingual