TRANSDERMAL FENTANYL IN CANCER PAIN

In an open multicentre study, 40 cancer patients requiring opioid anal gesia received transdermal fentanyl after their pain had been stabilis ed with oral morphine. Fentanyl dose was calculated according to a sta ndard conversion chart: 21 patients received 25 mu g/hour, 11 received 50 mu g/hour, four received 75 mu g/hour and four received 100 mu g/h our fentanyl patches. Patches were replaced every 72 hours for nine da ys. During this period, dose was adjusted as required. Oral morphine w as available for breakthrough pain. Patients' pain assessments (mean V AS) were not significantly different during the morphine and fentanyl phases. Quality of sleep and morning vigilance were improved during th e fentanyl phase and patients experienced less nausea, vomiting and co nstipation when using the fentanyl patches. Breakthrough morphine use declined during the fentanyl treatment phase. Seven patients required no additional morphine. Transdermal fentanyl patches were well tolerat ed and the majority of patients chose to continue to use them after th e study had finished.