Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of prophylactic subcutaneous fentanyl on exercise-induced breakthrough dyspnea in cancer patients: a preliminary double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Dyspnea is one of the most distressing symptoms in patients with cancer, and often worsens with breakthrough episodes on exertion. We hypothesized that fentanyl given prophylactically may alleviate breakthrough dyspnea. ⋯ Prophylactic fentanyl was safe and improved dyspnea, fatigue, walk distance, and respiratory rate. We also observed a large placebo effect. Our results justify larger randomized controlled trials with higher fentanyl doses (clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT01515566).