Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTransdermal fentanyl versus sustained-release oral morphine in cancer pain: preference, efficacy, and quality of life. The TTS-Fentanyl Comparative Trial Group.
Cancer patients requiring strong opioid analgesia (n = 202; mean age, 61.5 years; range, 18-89 years; 55% men) were recruited from 38 United Kingdom palliative care centers into a randomized, open, two-period, crossover study comparing transdermal fentanyl with sustained-release oral morphine. Patients received one treatment for 15 days followed immediately by the other for 15 days. Daily diaries were completed. ⋯ Of those patients who were able to express a preference (n = 136), significantly more preferred the fentanyl patches (p = 0.037). We conclude that, in this study, transdermal fentanyl provided pain relief that was acceptable to cancer patients and was associated with less constipation and sedation than morphine. These reduced side effects may contribute to patients preference for the patches.