[Long-term treatment of chronic pain with tilidine-naloxone. An analysis of 50 patients with chronic pain conditions of non-malignant origin]

Abstract

Method: 50 patients with incurable chronic pain states were treated for a period of between six months and 14 years (median: 31 months) with tilidine-naloxone, and the results of tumor recorded. Amelioration of pain was achieved in an average of 60.7% of the cases. The 16 patients of this series suffering from neuropathic pain who received a somewhat lower dose responded equally as well (60.3% amelioration) as the overall group. In 24 patients suffering from pain, the daily dose remained unchanged throughout the course of treatment, had to be increased in 19, and was reduced in seven patients. In two patients, acceptable side-effects were indicated; in no case were there any signs of drug-induced organic damage.

Conclusions: The results show that tilidine-naloxone is a highly effective opioid analgesic with a remarkably favorable benefit-risk ratio for use in long-term treatment.