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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The use of high doses of oxycodone in an acute palliative care unit.

Patrizia FerreraSebastiano MercadanteCasuccio AlessandraFabrizio David

subject

MalePalliative carePainoxycodoneSettore MED/42 - Igiene Generale E ApplicataNeoplasmsmedicineHigh dosesHumansAdverse effectAgedRetrospective StudiesDose-Response Relationship Drugbusiness.industryPalliative CareAge FactorsRetrospective cohort studyGeneral MedicineMiddle Agedacute palliative care unitoxycodone; acute palliative care unit; trial clinicoAnalgesics OpioidDose–response relationshipDelayed-Action PreparationsAnesthesiaAcute DiseaseMorphineFemaletrial clinicobusinessCancer painOxycodonemedicine.drug

description

A retrospective study of patients who were prescribed controlled-release oxycodone (CRO) in a period of 3 years (2006-2008) was performed. A total of 212 patients were prescribed at discharge CRO for background analgesia; 129, 43, and 40 patients were prescribed doses of oxycodone of less than 120 mg/day (group L), 120 to 240 mg/day (group M), and more than 240 mg/day (group L), respectively. No differences in gender, primary diagnosis, and pain mechanisms were found, but doses were significantly lower in older patients (P < .0005). At discharge, adverse effects were mild and only a minority of patients were switched to other opioids. This study demonstrated that CRO administered in larger doses was safe and effective, showing versatility and flexibility similar to morphine.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2010-09-08
10.1177/1049909110381378http://hdl.handle.net/10447/62463