Toshifumi Kosugi1, Sasagu Hamada2, Chizuko Takigawa3, Katsunori Shinozaki4, Hiroshi Kunikane5, Fumio Goto6, Shigeru Tanda7, Yasuo Shima8, Kinomi Yomiya9, Motohiro Matoba10, Isamu Adachi11, Tetsusuke Yoshimoto12, Kenji Eguchi13. 1. Department of Palliative Care, Saga-Ken Medical Center Koseikan, Saga, Japan. Electronic address: kosugi0416@gmail.com. 2. Department of Palliative Care, Saga-Ken Medical Center Koseikan, Saga, Japan. 3. Department of Palliative Medicine, KKR Sapporo Medical Center, Sapporo, Japan. 4. Division of Clinical Oncology, Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. 5. Department of Palliative Medicine, Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital, Yokohama, Japan. 6. International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. 7. Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan. 8. Department of Palliative Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan. 9. Department of Palliative Care, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan. 10. Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. 11. Division of Palliative Medicine, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan. 12. Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Social Insurance Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. 13. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Rapid-onset opioids for treating breakthrough pain (BTP) in patients with cancer are needed in the Japanese care setting. OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy and safety of fentanyl buccal tablets (FBTs) for treating BTP in Japanese cancer patients. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. In subjects receiving around-the-clock (ATC) opioids at doses of 30 mg or more to less than 60 mg or 60-1000 mg of oral morphine equivalents (low and high ATC groups), dose titration was started from 50 to 100 μg FBT, respectively. Subjects whose effective dose was identified were randomly allocated to a prearranged administration order of nine tablets (six FBTs and three placebos), one tablet each for nine episodes of BTP (double blinded). Efficacy and safety of FBT were assessed for patients overall, and also for the low and high ATC groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between FBT and placebo for the primary endpoint of pain intensity difference at 30 minutes. The analgesic onset of FBT was observed from 15 minutes in several secondary variables (e.g., pain relief). Adverse events were somnolence and other events associated with opioids were mostly mild or moderate. Of the low and high ATC group subjects, an effective FBT dose was identified in 72.2% and 73.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The safety of FBT and its analgesic effect on BTP were confirmed in Japanese cancer patients receiving opioids. Our findings suggest that analgesic onset may occur from 15 minutes after FBT, and that FBT can be administered to patients with low doses of ATC opioids.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: Rapid-onset opioids for treating breakthrough pain (BTP) in patients with cancer are needed in the Japanese care setting. OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy and safety of fentanyl buccal tablets (FBTs) for treating BTP in Japanese cancerpatients. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. In subjects receiving around-the-clock (ATC) opioids at doses of 30 mg or more to less than 60 mg or 60-1000 mg of oral morphine equivalents (low and high ATC groups), dose titration was started from 50 to 100 μg FBT, respectively. Subjects whose effective dose was identified were randomly allocated to a prearranged administration order of nine tablets (six FBTs and three placebos), one tablet each for nine episodes of BTP (double blinded). Efficacy and safety of FBT were assessed for patients overall, and also for the low and high ATC groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between FBT and placebo for the primary endpoint of pain intensity difference at 30 minutes. The analgesic onset of FBT was observed from 15 minutes in several secondary variables (e.g., pain relief). Adverse events were somnolence and other events associated with opioids were mostly mild or moderate. Of the low and high ATC group subjects, an effective FBT dose was identified in 72.2% and 73.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The safety of FBT and its analgesic effect on BTP were confirmed in Japanese cancerpatients receiving opioids. Our findings suggest that analgesic onset may occur from 15 minutes after FBT, and that FBT can be administered to patients with low doses of ATC opioids.
Authors: Robert Janknegt; Marieke van den Beuken; Sjouke Schiere; Michael Überall; Roger Knaggs; Jaquie Hanley; Morten Thronaes Journal: Eur J Hosp Pharm Date: 2017-01-11