Abstract

Descriptive study that seeks to evaluate the experience of our unit with the use of oxycodone, an opioid with a profile similar to morphine, in patients with advanced cancer pain. Objective: to evaluate analgesic efficacy of oxycodone (controlled release), patient profile, doses and adverse effects. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study. Review records of patients treated with oxycodone during 2009 and 2010. Analgesic response estimated with Wilcoxon test. Descriptive statistics on other variables. Assessment of pain by numeric scale range 0 to 10.Results: 64 patients. 34 women and 30 men were analyzed Mean age 59.5 years. Type of Pain: Somatic (53 per cent), visceral (19 per cent) neuropathic (5 per cent) mixed (23 per cent). Average time of oxycodone use: 3.2 months . Average VAS before starting Oxycodone 8 (5-9). Average VAS with oxycodone 3 (2-8) (p <0.0005). The average dose used was 40mg/day (20-80mg/day). Adverse effects: in 44 patients: nausea (22 per cent), constipation (18 per cent), pruritus (15 percent), anorexia (13 per cent). 31 per cent patients were using weak opioids previously, 62 per cent was using methadone or morphine. 7 per cent received oxycodone as initial therapy. The main reasons for discontinue the use of oxycodone were poorly controlled pain (54 percent), need for subcutaneous drug use (29 per cent) drug intolerance (17 per cent). Conclusions: Oxycodone allows adequate pain control. Doses used were lower that the described in the literature and its adverse effect profile is similar to other opioids. Alternative in intolerance to morphine or opioid rotation.