[Efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone for dyspnea in cancer patients--three case series]

Abstract

Dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with advanced cancer. Systemic morphine administration has been reported as an effective pharmacological treatment to control dyspnea. However, there have been few reports on similar effects of alternative opioids except for morphine. To evaluate the effect of controlled-release oxycodone on the relief of dyspnea, we investigated three cases with opioid substitution from subcutaneous morphine to oral oxycodone. In all cases, both opioids provided equivalent effects for the palliation of cancer dyspnea with no significant adverse effects. Future studies in the appropriate clinical designs will be needed to confirm our findings.