Przeklasa-Muszynska, A., & Dobrogowski, J. (2011). Transdermal buprenorphine in the treatment of cancer and non-cancer pain—The results of multicenter studies in Poland. Pharmacological Reports: PR, 63(4), 935–948.

Study Purpose

To evaluate the analgesic activity, safety of use, and safety profile of transdermal buprenorphine used in the treatment of chronic moderate to severe cancer and noncancer pain  

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

The sample was composed of 4,030 general outpatients as well as inpatients. The study process started in 2007 and was completed in 2008. Authors applied a visual analog scale to score pain intensity and used nonserious adverse drug reaction (NON-SADR) data to measure side effects.

Sample Characteristics

  • The sample was composed of 4,030 patients.
  • Mean patient age was 62.8 years.
  • Of all patients, 2,024 were male and 1,923 were female.
  • Patients had chronic moderate to severe cancer pain or chronic severe noncancer pain related to other diseases; patients' pain could not be controlled by nonopioid drugs.
  • Patients were excluded if they were opioid dependent, if they were undergoing opioid withdrawal, or if they had myasthenia gravis.
     

Setting

  • Multisite
  • Inpatient and outpatient
  • Jagiellonian University Medical College, Sniadeckich, Krakow, Poland
     

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • Phase of care: active treatment
  • Clinical applications: elderly care, end-of-life and palliative care, late effects and survivorship

Study Design

Nonrandomized prospective uncontrolled, open-label, single-arm postmarketing study

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • NON-SADR data
  • VAS, to measure pain intensity

Results

In this study, transdermal buprenorphine study was highly efficacious and well tolerated.

Conclusions

In this study, transdermal buprenorphine proved safe, effective, and easy to administer.

Nursing Implications

Use of transdermal buprenorphine will help to reduce pain but may produce adverse effects. Nurses should be knowledgeable about these effects and ready to spot and treat them. Patients should be aware of possible adverse effects prior to using transdermal buprenorphine, so they can report adverse effects promptly. To minimize adverse effects, avoid prolonged use of the drug.