Critical reviews in oncology/hematology
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Dec 2011
ReviewThe use of rapid onset opioids for breakthrough cancer pain: the challenge of its dosing.
Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) has been defined as a transitory increase in pain intensity on a baseline pain of moderate intensity in patients on analgesic treatment regularly administered. This review provides updated information about the use of opioids for the treatment of BTcP, with special emphasis on the use of new rapid onset opioids (ROOs). Due to its slow onset to effect oral opioids cannot be considered an efficacious treatment for BTcP. ⋯ All the studies performed with ROOs have recommended that these drugs should be administered to opioid-tolerant patients receiving doses of oral morphine equivalents of at least 60 mg. The choice of the dose of ROO to be prescribed as needed remains controversial. The need of titrating opioid doses for BTcP has been commonly recommended in all the controlled studies, but has never been substantiated in appropriate studies.