Equianalgesic dose/ratio between methadone and other opioid agonists in cancer pain: Comparison of two clinical experiences

Background: Oral methadone is considered to be a valid opioid analgesic alternative to morphine and hydromorphone in treating cancer pain. However, the use of methadone could be complicated by the limited knowledge of the equianalgesic dose/ratio with the other analgesic opioids when switching in tolerant patients.Patients and methods: In two Palliative Care Units, data collected regarding 88 advanced cancer patients with pain switched from different opioids to oral methadone were reviewed and compared with the aim of determining the equianalgesic dose ratio in relation to the dose of opioid previously administered.Results: The results of this retrospective study suggest that: (1) methadone is much more potent than previously described in literature, (2) the dose ratio between hydromorphone and methadone is higher than as suggested by equianalgesic tables, and (3) the ratio correlates with total opioid dose administered before switching.Conclusions: The fact that methadone ratio is different according to the opioid dose used previously should be taken into careful consideration by the clinician in order to avoid severe toxicity or death during switchover. Prospective studies should be carried out in order to better define our findings.     

Opioid switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone in patients with cancer pain

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer often are rotated from other opioids to methadone to improve the balance between analgesia and side effects. To the authors' knowledge, no clear guidelines currently exist for the safe and effective rotation from transdermal fentanyl to methadone. METHODS: The authors evaluated a protocol for switching opioid from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone in 17 patients with cancer. Reasons for switching were uncontrolled pain (41.1% of patients) and neurotoxic side effects (58.9% of patients). Methadone was initiated 8-24 hours after fentanyl withdrawal, depending on the patient's previous opioid doses (from < 100 microg per hour to > 300 microg per hour). The starting methadone dose was calculated according to a 2-step conversion between transdermal fentanyl:oral morphine (1:100 ratio) and oral morphine:oral methadone (5:1 ratio or 10:1 ratio). The correlation between previous fentanyl dose and the final methadone dose or the fentanyl:methadone dose ratio was assessed by means of Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (r), respectively. A Friedman test was used to compare pain intensity before and after the switch and the use of daily rescue doses. RESULTS: Opioid rotation was fully or partially effective in 80% and 20%, respectively, of patients with somatic pain. Neuropathic pain was not affected by opioid switching. Delirium and myoclonus were reverted in 80% and 100% of patients, respectively, after opioid switching. A positive linear correlation was obtained between the fentanyl and methadone doses (Pearson r, 0.851). Previous fentanyl doses were not correlated with the final fentanyl:methadone dose ratios (Spearman r, - 0.327). CONCLUSIONS: The protocol studied provided a safe approach for switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone, improving the balance between analgesia and side effects in patients with cancer.     

Three-day-type transdermal fentanyl patch conversion by rapid titration method with short-acting oral oxycodone for cancer pain

This study compared the efficacy and safety of a 3-day-type transdermal fentanyl patch conversion by the rapid titration method to short-acting oral oxycodone for cancer pain.We evaluated seven hospitalized cancer patients who had moderate to severe cancer pain.Pain intensity was rated using an 11-point(0-10)numerical rating scale(NRS).All 7 patients initially reported their pain intensity at rest as NRS≥4 during treatment by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs(NSAIDs).Short - acting oral oxycodone(OxiNorm?)5 mg was administered to all patients.One hour after short-acting oral oxycodone was administered, pain assessment was carried out using NRS by the author.Short -acting oral oxycodone was administered four times a day periodically, and as a rescue dose.If the total daily dose of short-acting oral oxycodone was stable for 2 days, we switched to the 3-day-type transdermal fentanyl patch.The optimal dosage of the 3-day-type transdermal fentanyl patch was determined by titration of short-acting oral oxycodone.All 7 patients reported mild levels(NRS≤2)of cancer pain for 2 days.No serious side effects were reported.The 3-day-type transdermal fentanyl patch conversion by the rapid titration method with short-acting oral oxycodone can be accomplished safely and effectively for patients with moderate cancer pain.     

Home palliative care--2 case reports: a long-term cancer pain management with transdermal fentanyl

Transdermal Fentanyl was released in March 2002 in Japan after the acceptance of the insurance under the office of public health. Transdermal therapy is especially effective for patients having difficulty of oral intakes, and for home care cancer patients who suffer from chronic pain only if the therapy is feasible on the long-term basis. We report our cases for long-term cancer pain management with transdermal fentanyl. A total of 52 long-term patients with chronic cancer pain (28 men and 24 women with an average age of 63.5 years, range 46-74 years) were evaluated. The most prevalent cancers were colorectum (n=14), stomach (n=10), breast (n=8), esophagus (n=6), pancreas (n=6), and others. The duration of the transdermal therapy varied from minimum of 2 days to maximum of 630 days. Two patients on this therapy were longer than 500 days. The transdermal therapy was discontinued 2-37 days for 8 patients due to uncontrolled pain relief. Case report 1: A 72-year-old woman suffering from a relapse of pancreatic cancer with chronic back pain experienced a good pain relief after switching from 60 mg/day sustained oral release morphine to 2.5 mg transdermal fentanyl. During the long-term treatment, the transdermal fentanyl dosage had to be increased. Transdermal therapy was continued until the patient's death on day 601. The last fentanyl dosage was 7.5 mg. Transdermal therapy was given 319/601 days at home and 282/601 days in the hospital. Meanwhile, a little rescue suppository morphine was used as an adjuvant during the duration of transdermal therapy. Case report 2: A 73-year-old man suffered a relapse of rectal cancer. He experienced adequate pain relief with 40 mg oral sustained release morphine, but he was switched to 2.5 mg transdermal fentanyl. Transdermal therapy was continued until today on day 630. At present, fentanyl dosage is 20 mg. The patient has been treated at home for 622/630 days. He was hospitalized only once for 8 days because of dehydrations, and has been treated at home. Only a little rescue powder morphine was needed as an adjuvant during the duration of transdermal therapy. In these 2 cases of long-term cancer pain management, transdermal therapy has resulted in good pain reduction and the side effects with transdermal therapy were not noted. Transdermal fentanyl can be recommended for treatment of palliative cancer pain at home.     

恶性肿瘤患者临终前的阿片类药物止痛回顾

目的:调查恶性肿瘤患者临终前的阿片类药物止痛治疗现状。方法:分析242例患者阿片类药物止痛的基本情况,比较不同性别、年龄及肿瘤原发灶的阿片止痛情况。结果:176例(72.73%)用阿片止痛,其中134例(76.14%)用美施康定,28例(15.91%)用多瑞吉,14例(7.95%)用弱阿片,无阿片过量引起的死亡。日平均吗啡口服剂量:男性(166.67mg)明显高于女性(107.66mg),年龄增大,用量逐渐减小,但无显著差异,不同原发灶的患者无显著差异。结论:止痛治疗合理、安全;男性止痛所需阿片量比女性大,年龄大的患者阿片用量较小,肿瘤原发灶与阿片止痛剂量无关。     

Use of TTS fentanyl as a single opioid for cancer pain relief: a safety and efficacy clinical trial in patients naive to mild or strong opioids.

BACKGROUND: Up to now, a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) of fentanyl has been applied to cancer patients on opioid analgesics previously treated with mild opioids or morphine. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of TTS fentanyl (patch) administration as an analgesic to patients treated with opioid analgesics for moderate-to-severe cancer pain, with immediate-release oral morphine only as rescue medication. The prior analgesic medication of the patients did not include mild or strong opioids. METHODS: The study group consisted of 113 patients (54 men and 59 women; age range: 21-87 years, mean +/- SD 61.3 +/- 14.84 years) with undertreated chronic cancer pain. The study period was 42 days. The patients were hospitalized for the first 3 days of the study; thereafter they were transferred to their home for the rest of the study. Daily cards were completed, noting their pain score (0-10 VAS), nausea, vomiting, constipation, skin reactions, dizziness or any other complaints. Vital signs were also recorded. Data assessments were made at baseline, on days 1, 2 and 3 (during hospitalization) and thereafter on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 after hospital discharge. The initial TTS fentanyl delivery rate was chosen depending on the patient's analgesic requirements. All patients were given an oral morphine solution (5-10 mg), every 4-6 h, for the first 12 h, as rescue medication. RESULTS: Baseline pain score was between 6 and 10 (mean +/- SD 7.1 +/- 1.7). The initial TTS fentanyl delivery rate was between 25 and 50 microg/h (mean +/- SD 36.5 +/- 15.7). On day 3, 95 patients (84%) reported a pain score < or = 3 (mean +/- SD 0.5 +/- 0.8), 14 patients (12.4%) a pain score of 4 and 4 patients (3.5%) of 5-8. No adverse effects suggesting the discontinuation of the study were reported. From day 7 until the completion of the study, the mean pain score was between 1.3 and 0.16 while the TTS fentanyl delivery rate on day 42 was between 25 and 400 microg/h (mean +/- SD 122.1 +/- 81.2 microg/h). CONCLUSION: Analgesic treatment with TTS fentanyl used as a single opioid is effective and safe for cancer pain relief, given that is cautiously applied, in patients requiring strong opioid analgesics even if they were naive to strong or mild opioids.     

Intravenous methadone in the management of chronic cancer pain: safe and effective starting doses when substituting methadone for fentanyl.

BACKGROUND: Patients often are rotated from other opioids to methadone when side effects occur before satisfactory analgesia is achieved. Various strategies have been proposed to estimate safe and effective starting doses of methadone when rotating from morphine and hydromorphone; however, there are no guidelines for estimating safe and effective starting doses of methadone when rotating from fentanyl. METHODS: The authors prospectively observed 18 consecutive patients experiencing chronic pain from cancer who underwent opioid rotation from intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl to intravenous PCA with methadone. Patients were switched from fentanyl to methadone because of uncontrolled pain associated with sedation or confusion. A conversion ratio of 25 microg/hour of fentanyl to 0.1 mg/hour of methadone was used to calculate the initial dose of methadone in all patients. RESULTS: Mean pain scores decreased from 8.1 to 4.8 on Day 1 after the switch and to 3.22 on Day 4 after the switch. Mean sedation scores were 1.5 before the switch and 0.44 and 0.16 on Days 1 and 4, respectively. Among the 6 patients who experienced confusion while on fentanyl before the switch, 5 improved within 2 days of the switch. None of the patients experienced toxicity from methadone. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this preliminary study, the authors suggest that when switching from intravenous fentanyl to methadone a conversion ratio of 25 microg/hour of fentanyl to 0.1 mg/hour of methadone may be safe and effective.     

A safe and effective method for converting patients from transdermal to intravenous fentanyl for the treatment of acute cancer-related pain

BACKGROUND: The delayed effects (12-16 hours) of transdermal fentanyl make dose titration difficult during acute exacerbations of cancer pain. Patients at the authors' institution routinely are switched from transdermal to intravenous (IV) fentanyl using a 1:1 (transdermal:IV) conversion during severe episodes of pain. METHODS: The authors evaluated nine consecutive hospitalized patients with cancer who had severe pain for up to 6 days following the conversion from transdermal to IV fentanyl. Pain intensity was rated using an 11-point (0-10) verbal numeric rating scale (NRS). All 9 patients initially reported their pain intensity with movement as >or= 8 during treatment with transdermal fentanyl. Eight patients initially reported their pain at rest as >or= 8. In each patient, all transdermal patches were removed, and a continuous infusion (CI) delivering IV fentanyl at the same hourly rate was initiated simultaneously. Demand boluses of IV fentanyl equivalent in dosage to 50-100% of the CI rate remained available by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Pain intensity (0-10), sedation (0-3), and hourly fentanyl requirements (micrograms per hour) were assessed and recorded immediately prior to patch removal and at least once daily after the initiation of IV fentanyl. The CI and demand boluses were titrated whenever necessary on the basis of pain intensity and supplemental PCA use. RESULTS: All 9 patients reported mild levels (相似文献   

Rapid switching between transdermal fentanyl and methadone in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical effects of switching from transdermal (TTS) fentanyl to methadone, or vice versa, in patients with a poor response to the previous opioid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out on 31 patients who switched from TTS fentanyl to oral methadone, or vice versa, because of poor opioid response. A fixed conversion ratio of fentanyl to methadone of 1:20 was started and assisted by rescue doses of opioids, and then doses were changed according to clinical response. Pain and symptom intensity, expressed as distress score, were recorded before switching doses of the two opioids and after subsequent doses. The number of changes of the daily doses, time to achieve stabilization, and hospital stay were also recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were switched from TTS fentanyl to methadone, and seven patients were switched from methadone to TTS fentanyl. A significant decrease in pain and symptom intensity, expressed as symptom distress score, was found within 24 hours after switching took place in both directions. Unsuccessful switching occurred in six patients, who were subsequently treated with an alternative therapy. CONCLUSION: A rapid switching using an initial fixed ratio of fentanyl to methadone of 1:20 is an effective method to improve the balance between analgesia and adverse effects in cancer patients with poor response to the previous opioid. No relationship between the final opioid dose and the dose of the previous opioid has been found.     

晚期肺癌癌痛患者口服吗啡转换为芬太尼贴剂的临床疗效

目的探讨晚期肺癌癌痛患者由口服吗啡转换应用芬太尼透皮贴剂的临床疗效。方法59例口服吗啡镇痛不满意的晚期肺癌伴重度癌痛患者,换用芬太尼透皮贴剂止痛,剂量换算公式为：芬太尼透皮贴剂72h剂量（μg/h）=口服吗啡（mg/d）×0．5,根据疼痛评分调整剂量,将疼痛控制在3分以下。数字评分法记录疼痛强度、生活质量和不良反应评分。结果59例晚期肺癌癌痛患者药物转换后疼痛强度明显降低,转换前疼痛评分均值为（6．27±1．15）分,转换后6d为（2．15±0．87）分,15d为（2．03±0．68）分,30d为（1．95±0．73）分（P〈0．01）。总的疼痛缓解率81．35％。转换后生活质量评分明显提高（P〈0．05）,不良反应如恶心／呕吐和便秘发生率降低,但皮肤瘙痒的发生率提高（P〈0．05）。结论无法应用口服吗啡镇痛的晚期肺癌癌痛患者,转换应用芬太尼贴剂后,镇痛效果提高,生活质量得到明显改善。     

An alternative algorithm for dosing transdermal fentanyl for cancer-related pain

Many cancer patients are undermedicated and inappropriately managed for pain, leading to a diminished quality of life. Patients with moderate to severe pain often require opioid analgesics. Recently published guidelines emphasize individualization of opioid treatment to provide the drug and route of administration that meet the needs of the particular patient. Intolerable side effects, ineffective pain relief, or a change in the patient's clinical status can dictate the need for a new pain management regimen. Physicians must be able to readily quantify relative analgesic potency when converting from one opioid to another or from one route of administration to another. Transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) is an opioid agonist that has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of cancer pain. However, clinicians should realize that the manufacturer's recommendations for equianalgesic dosing of transdermal fentanyl may result in initial doses that are too low in some patients, and in a titration period that is too long. Under these circumstances, the patient is likely to experience unrelieved pain. An alternative dosing algorithm that considers both a review of the literature and our combined clinical experience with transdermal fentanyl should help clinicians individualize the treatment of pain.     

Parenteral opioids in end-of-life care in cancer patients

The ethical obligation to relieve pain and other distressing symptoms in patients with cancer is now receiving increasing attention and concern in palliative and end-of-life care. The vast majority of patients with cancer pain are prescribed opioids in oral formulation. However, a patient at the end of his or her life often needs parenteral administration of opioids as the medical condition deteriorates, irrespective of using sedatives. Controlled release opioid preparations currently available in Japan are CR morphine sulphate, CR oxycodone and transdermal fentanyl patch. The opioids available in injectable preparations are morphine HCL and fentanyl citrate. Accordingly, not only the guideline for switching opioids, so-called "opioid rotation," but the guideline for changing the opioid administration route is also necessary in end-of-life care. The authors specifically indicate when and how to convert opioid administration from the oral to the parental route.     

芬太尼透皮贴剂或静脉吗啡泵维持治疗中重度癌痛疗效的临床观察

目的:观察和比较持续静脉泵入吗啡与芬太尼透皮贴治疗中重度癌痛的临床疗效和安全性。方法:选择40例疼痛评分＞4的中重度癌痛患者,进行疼痛滴定后随机分为吗啡组(持续静脉泵入吗啡)与芬太尼组(芬太尼透皮贴)。观察和比较两组患者的镇痛疗效、镇痛维持时间、爆发痛发作次数及不良反应发生情况。结果:治疗后,吗啡组和芬太尼组的NRS评分分别为(1.9±0.8)分和(2.2±1.0)分,均较治疗前明显降低(P＜0.05),但两组间的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);吗啡组患者每天平均镇痛维持时间为(22.7±0.4)小时,爆发痛每天发作(1.0±0.3)次;芬太尼组每天平均镇痛维持时间为(20.14±1.2)小时,爆发痛每天发作(1.5±0.6)次,两组间的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。两组患者的不良反应以便秘多见,经对症处理后均可耐受。两组生活质量均得到明显提高。结论:持续静脉泵入吗啡及芬太尼透皮贴治疗中重度癌痛均可明显缓解患者的疼痛症状,镇痛效果及安全性相当。     

Use of the subcutaneous route for the administration of narcotics in patients with cancer pain

From February 1985 until January 1987, 108 consecutive patients with pain due to advanced cancer requiring parenteral narcotics were treated with a subcutaneous infusion of morphine (62 patients) or hydromorphone (46 patients). Mean maximal daily dose of morphine and hydromorphone was 305 mg (range, 80-3000 mg) and 310 mg (range, 40-4024 mg), respectively. The infusion was maintained for a mean of 31 +/- 16 days (range, 2-156). Seventy patients were treated with a portable pump. Of these patients, 33 (45%) were discharge home for a mean of 29 +/- 20 days. Eighty-six of one hundred eight (86/108, 80%) patients experienced adequate pain control (less than two extra doses of analgesics per day). The duration of the site of the infusion was 7 days (range, 2-31). The mean daily increase in those was 2.4 +/- 1.6% of the initial dose (only 15% of patients needed an increase more than or equal to 5% per day). Systemic toxicity consisted of respiratory depression in two patients, severe sedation in six, and confusion in three; all patients improved upon reduction of the daily dose of narcotics. Local toxicity consisted in infection in two patients, bleeding in one, and chemical irritation in six. Cost analysis shows that subcutaneous infusion reduced costs by either allowing home discharges, or replacing intravenous infusion. The authors conclude that this method is safe and effective in patients admitted and at home, and should be considered the first choice when parenteral analgesia is required.     

氢吗啡酮静脉自控镇痛对乳腺癌术后慢性疼痛的预防效果

目的:观察氢吗啡酮静脉自控镇痛（PCIA）对乳腺癌术后慢性疼痛的预防效果。方法:选择90例择期行乳腺癌改良根治术的女性患者,年龄33~62岁,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,体重指数18~24 kg/m2。将患者随机分为2组（n=45）,术后给予不同静脉自控镇痛:F组,芬太尼25 μg/kg+阿扎司琼10 mg;H组,盐酸氢吗啡酮0.25 mg/kg+阿扎司琼10 mg。镇痛泵容量100 ml,背景输注速率1.5 ml/h,单次按压给药量2 ml,锁定时间15 min。采用数字评分量表法（NRS）评估术后1 h、4 h、12 h、24 h、48 h 时疼痛评分、Ramsay镇静评分、48 h内不良反应情况、PCIA按压次数;评估术后2个月内慢性疼痛发生情况。结果:在术后1~48 h期间,两组NRS评分和Ramsay镇静评分比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;H组过度镇静和恶心呕吐发生率明显低于F组（P＜0.05）;在术后2个月内,H组术后慢性疼痛发生率明显低于F组（P＜0.05）。结论:氢吗啡酮术后静脉自控镇痛能够达到芬太尼的镇痛效果,不良反应发生率较低,可能降低乳腺癌术后慢性疼痛的发生率。     

Switching from morphine to methadone to improve analgesia and tolerability in cancer patients: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical benefits of switching from morphine to oral methadone in patients who experience poor analgesia or adverse effects from morphine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive cancer patients receiving oral morphine but with uncontrolled pain and/or moderate to severe opioid adverse effects were switched to oral methadone administered every 8 hours using different dose ratios. Intensity of pain and adverse effects were assessed daily, and the symptom distress score (DS) was calculated before and after switching. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 50 patients. Switching was considered effective in 80% of the patients; results were achieved in an average of 3.65 days. In the 10 patients who switched to methadone because of uncontrolled pain, a significant reduction in pain intensity (P <.005) and an average of a 33% increase in methadone doses necessary (P <.01) were found after an average of 3.5 days. DS significantly decreased from an average of 8.4 to 4.5 (P <.0005). In the 32 patients switching because of uncontrolled pain and morphine-related adverse effects, significant improvement was found in pain intensity (P <.0005), nausea and vomiting (P <.03), constipation (P <.001), and drowsiness (P <.01), but a significant increase in the methadone dose of an average of 20% (P <.004) was required. CONCLUSION: In most patients with cancer pain referred for poor pain control and/or adverse effects, switching to oral methadone is a valid therapeutic option. In the clinical setting of poor pain control, higher doses of methadone are necessary with respect to the equianalgesic calculated dose ratios previously published.     

Methadone titration in opioid-resistant cancer pain

Aim: To assess the use of methadone in patients with cancer pain who fail to respond to increasing doses of other opioids or experience intolerable side-effects from them.
Method: Inpatients of a specialist palliative care unit were titrated onto oral methadone. The dose was calculated as 10% of the previous morphine equivalent dose, up to maximum of 40 mg, given every 3 h as required for analgesia. When daily requirements were stable it was divided into two regular doses. Pain was assessed on a five-point verbal rating score (VRS): a good response was defined as a fall in VRS of two points or more. Results are expressed as median (range).
Results: Thirty-three patients (13 men, 20 women, age 61 (34-91) years), 26 with inadequate analgesia and seven with intolerable opioid related side-effects, were converted to methadone from diamorphine (12), morphine (19) or fentanyl (two). Morphine equivalent dose was 480 (20-1200) mg/day prior to titration. Pain was neuropathic (11), nociceptive (three) or mixed (19). Stabilisation on methadone was complete in 3 (2-18) days in 29 (88%) patients at 80 (20-360) mg/day. Twenty-six (78%) had a good response. Four (12%) patients were withdrawn during titration (three entered terminal phase, one failed to respond). During follow-up 15 (45%) required alteration of methadone dose. Twenty-three (70%) patients were discharged home at 12 (4-26) days. In all cases the stable dose of methadone was less than the previous morphine equivalent, and there was a weak correlation between them.
Conclusions: This method of methadone titration often results in improved pain control in patients with morphine resistance or intolerance. It requires careful titration in a specialist inpatient unit as there is no reliable formula for dose equivalence.     

口服控释吗啡交替为芬太尼透皮贴剂的疗效分析

目的评价晚期癌痛患者由口服控释吗啡转换为芬太尼透皮贴剂止痛的疗效与不良反应。方法 40例口服控释吗啡镇痛不满意的晚期癌痛患者,交替为芬太尼透皮贴剂,吗啡与芬太尼贴剂的剂量换算比为100∶1。采用0～10视觉模拟评分法评价疼痛强度,评分降低≥2表示疼痛缓解有临床显著性差异;不良反应评估分为4级:无不良反应(0)、轻度(1)、中度(2)或重度(3)。结果药物交替后疼痛强度明显降低,转换前平均疼痛评分为5.7,转换后7 d降至3.4。发生至少一种不良反应的患者转换前为37例(92.5%),转换后降至25例(62.5%)。结论将口服控释吗啡交替为芬太尼透皮贴剂是一种安全有效的镇痛策略。     

纳洛酮治疗晚期癌症患者阿片类药物过量15例临床分析

  目的  分析纳洛酮治疗晚期癌症患者阿片类药物过量的临床特点。  方法  晚期癌痛患者15例,其中5例接受芬太尼透皮贴剂,6例接受硫酸吗啡缓释片,4例接受盐酸羟考酮缓释片行止痛过程中出现药物过量表现,立即应用纳洛酮施治,观察和分析出现药物过量的原因、应用纳洛酮后的治疗反应以及患者总体预后。  结果  本组患者等效吗啡片剂量10~640 mg/d,中位剂量360 mg/d;纳洛酮救治剂量为0.2~0.8 mg,中位剂量0.4 mg;用药后,患者瞳孔在数分钟后最先恢复正常,10~30 min后呼吸抑制逐步改善,血压需要1 h以上逐渐恢复至先前水平;2例患者应用芬太尼透皮贴剂过量前发热,3例患者近期肝功能指标恶化明显,7例患者之前癌痛控制不佳,在阿片类药物滴定过程中出现过量;患者总体预后差,总中位生存时间仅为1.9个月。  结论  晚期癌痛患者阿片类药物过量并不罕见,应用纳洛酮救治安全有效,应提高警惕、尽早诊断、及时救治,以免影响止痛治疗的顺利实施。