• Yasuko Akiyama, Masako Iseki, Rika Izawa, Kouta Ishii, Toyo Miyazaki, Seiko Yamaguchi, and Yuichiro Tani.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo.
• Masui. 2007 Mar 1; 56 (3): 317-23.

Background[corrected] The transdermal fentanyl patch (Durote patch) is an opioid preparation requiring replacement once in three days, which is occasionally prescribed to replace morphine preparations. The conversion ratio from morphine to fentanyl has been claimed to be 100:1 or 150:1, but there may exist individual variations.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the analgesic effects and adverse effects of fentanyl patch in 24 cases among 22 patients (11 men and 11 women).ResultsThere were some reasons for switching; the major one was for home-care. In most cases rotation was completed in a few days and the side effects disappearance or were reduced, but 4 cases of them showed severe diarrhea or exhibited exacerbation of the pain, and had to go back to morphine. There were a wide variations of conversion ratio with a mean of 96.6.ConclusionsThe fentanyl patch is a useful agent to control severe cancer pain because of excellent analgesic effect, less adverse effects and more convenience as well as itsundesirable characteristics when transition of patients to home-care is considered or oral administration should be avoided. Above all it offers a great possibility to improve cancer patient's quality of life.

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