Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0011168 (dysphagia)
 15,644 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Fentanyl TTS, the only transdermal opioid, represents a real tool for a better quality of life in patients with cancer pain. In this paper we report a short description of the pharmacologic properties and administration procedures of this drug that is a useful alternative when other opioids recommended on the third step of the WHO analgesic ladder, are ineffective or present unbearable side effects (nausea and/or vomiting-severe mucosites and dysphagia). In particular we indicated some changes and adjustments switching from morphine per os to fentanyl TTS. In addition we report the results of a study carried out in our Pain Therapy Center on 49 patients with severe oncologic pain, previously treated with opioids and other drugs associations. Our results indicated a good control of continuous nociceptive cancer pain, with a better quality of life and lesser side effects to respect the previous regime of orally opioids.
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PMID:[Transdermal route as an alternative to oral administration of opioids in cancer pain]. 986 89

Although the optimal route of administration of opioids is by mouth, some patients may require alternative routes during the course of their illnesses for several reasons. These include bowel obstruction, severe emesis, or severe dysphagia. In these cases, the alternatives include the subcutaneous or rectal route. The transdermal route also provides a simple, comfortable method that produces stable blood drug concentrations. The high potency and lipid solubility of fentanyl make it suitable for this route of administration. Iontophoresis can provide a rapid drug delivery rate, but no clinical studies exist to document the long-term effectiveness of this method in controlling pain. The transmucosal route is recommended only for those opioids with high solubility, such as buprenorphine, the fentanyl series, and methadone. Oral transmucosal fentanyl (Actiq) provides a rapid onset of pain relief and is appropriate for treating episodes of breakthrough pain.
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PMID:Alternatives to oral opioids for cancer pain. 1007 71