The Clinical journal of pain
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Clinical Trial
Managing cancer pain and symptoms of outpatients by rotation to sustained-release hydromorphone: a prospective clinical trial.
In this prospective clinical trial we examined the technique of opioid rotation to oral sustained-release hydromorphone for controlling pain and symptoms in outpatients with cancer pain. ⋯ Switching the opioid to oral hydromorphone may be a helpful technique to alleviate pain and several symptoms, but it is still not clear to what extent the underlying mechanisms, such as the technique of rotation itself, better dose adjustment, or using a different opioid have an impact.