Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients: an overview of its pharmacological and clinical characteristics. The American journal of hospice & palliative care. [Am J Hosp Palliat Care] Journal article

Breakthrough pain is a transitory flare of pain occurring in most cancer patients against a background of otherwise controlled persistent pain. Treatment of breakthrough pain is a challenging phenomenon. Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (Actiq, Cephalon, Inc, West Chester, PA), a new opioid formulation with a unique delivery system, reflects the characteristics of breakthrough pain (rapid onset of action and short duration), making it an effective treatment for cancer patients who already receive opioids and experience flares of pain. This review article aims to present the role of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate in the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients. In particular, it is going to discuss the synthesis, clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, toxicity, and clinical efficacy of this novel agent.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care. [Am J Hosp Palliat Care]

Administration, Oral
Analgesics, Opioid
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Fentanyl
Humans
Neoplasms
Pain Measurement
Pain, Intractable
Palliative Care
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome