International journal of palliative nursing
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Review Comparative Study
The use of oxycodone in cancer-related pain: a literature review.
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid agonist that can be used as an alternative to morphine in controlling cancer pain. It differs from morphine in its biphasic qualities in controlled release (CR) formulation. This review of post-1995 international literature explores the use of oxycodone compared with morphine, as well as titration studies comparing CR formulation against the conventional immediate release (IR) formulation. ⋯ Studies were graded based on research quality criteria of the US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (United States Department for Health and Human Services, 1993). Conversion ratios and side-effects are discussed and recommendations made for the use of oxycodone in opioid rotation, particularly for patients suffering morphine-induced hallucinations. Several studies also recommend the use of oxycodone in preference to morphine in patients with renal impairment.