[A pilot study of the reduced effects of adverse events caused by oral morphine and oxycodone after rotating to fentanyl patch in patients with metastatic breast cancer].

Background: It has been confirmed by several clinical trials that the fentanyl patch causes less adverse events than sustained-release oral morphine, and after rotation. However, there has been no evidence comparing the fentanyl patch with controlled-release oral oxycodone in terms of adverse events.

Purpose: We prospectively investigated the reduced effects of adverse events caused by sustained-release oral morphine and controlled-release oxycodone after rotating to the fentanyl patch in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Method: Metastatic breast cancer patients requiring sustained-release oral morphine or controlled-release oral oxycodone(n=9, 2 taking oral morphine, 7 taking oral oxycodone, mean age, 57. 5 years)were recruited. Those experiencing adverse events from oral morphine or oral oxycodone were administered a fentanyl patch.

Results: The pain score was reduced significantly at the 4th week. The fentanyl patch was associated with significantly less nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness and dizziness over the study period.

Conclusion: This study suggested that the fentanyl patch can reduce adverse events caused by sustained-release oral morphine as well as controlled-release oral oxycodone.