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Fentanyl Sublingual

In Breakthrough Pain in Opioid-Tolerant Adults with Cancer

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Abstract

Fentanyl is a potent opioid with a short duration of action. Fentanyl sublingual has been formulated as a rapidly disintegrating tablet that is quickly absorbed, producing a fast onset of analgesia.

In two randomized, double-blind clinical trials, fentanyl sublingual as single fixed or titrated doses reduced pain intensity during breakthrough pain episodes to a significantly greater extent than placebo in opioid-tolerant cancer patients.

In a fixed-dose phase II trial and a titrated-dose phase III trial, fentanyl sublingual (as a single 400 μg dose and as titrated doses) reduced mean pain intensity difference (PID) to a significantly greater extent than placebo over the entire treatment period (up to 60 minutes), reaching statistical significance 15 minutes post-dose.

In the titrated-dose study, the mean sum of PID (area under the PID vs time curve) at 30 minutes post-dose was significantly greater with fentanyl sublingual than placebo, with significant improvements in PID seen at 10 minutes maintained at 60 minutes post-dose.

In the phase III study, patients receiving fentanyl sublingual were more satisfied with their treatment than patients receiving placebo (measured using the Patient Global Evaluation of Medication score), and almost half of all fentanyl sublingual recipients were satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment.

Fentanyl sublingual was generally well tolerated in the two trials and most adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity.

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Acknowledgements and Disclosures

The manuscript was reviewed by: H. Lennernäs, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; S. Mercadante, Department of Pain Relief and Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy.

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was also offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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  1. Adis, a Wolters Kluwer Business, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Claudine M. Chwieduk & Kate McKeage

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  1. Claudine M. Chwieduk
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  2. Kate McKeage
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Correspondence to Claudine M. Chwieduk.

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Chwieduk, C.M., McKeage, K. Fentanyl Sublingual. Drugs 70, 2281–2288 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/11200910-000000000-00000

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