Current medical research and opinion
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The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of sublingual fentanyl (SLF) in doses proportional to opioid doses used for background analgesia for the treatment of BTP of cancer patients. ⋯ This study suggests that SLF given in doses proportional to the basal opioid regimen for the management of BTP is safe and effective in clinical practice.
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Editorial Comment
Treatment of breakthrough cancer pain: to titrate or to proportionate?
Breakthrough cancer pain can be treated effectively by rapid-onset opioids, such as sublingual fentanyl. However, it remained unclear how the optimal dose of sublingual fentanyl should be determined. Dosing proportional to basic opioid regimen is now proposed as an alternative to dose titration.