Long-term efficacy and tolerability of intranasal fentanyl in the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term tolerability and efficacy of intranasal fentanyl (INFS) in opioid-tolerant patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTP).Patients and methods: A 6 months, observational, prospective, cohort study design was employed to follow advanced cancer patients with BTP receiving INFS under routine clinical practice. Eligible adult cancer patients suffering from BTP had been prescribed INFS at effective doses. Data were collected at T0 and at month intervals for six months. The principal outcomes were the evaluation of possible serious adverse effects with prolonged use of INFS, the efficacy of BTP treatment with INFS, the quality of sle…