Solutions for the clinical problems of analgesics for cancer pain treatment in Japan

Abstract

The pain experienced by cancer patients can be managed in 70-90% of cases by the World Health Organisation protocol for cancer pain. However, cancer pain treatment in Japan is not sufficiently effective. To use medicine safely and effectively, various problems must be solved. Therefore, in this study, appropriate usage of cancer pain treatment was examined. We were able to use acetaminophen suppositories (800 mg each) in cancer pain patients. It was suggested that high serum concentrations of oxycodone and hydrocotarnine might be observed in geriatric patients or in the state of decreased hepatic blood flow, making dose adjustment is necessary for such patients. We also clarified that the conversion ratio from oral oxycodone to intravenous ocycodone/hydrocotarnine was 0.71±0.12. In addition, we clarified the pharmacokinetics of controlled-release oxycodone in patients with cancer pain. Moreover, the findings of our study indicate that in the steady state, the serum concentrations of fentanyl are not maintained at a constant level for 3 days following the use of transdermal fentanyl. We established a method of appropriately passing a nasal duct for sustained release of fine granules of morphine sulfate. Resolution of the clinical problems associated with cancer pain treatments is anticipated to allow the proper use of cancer pain treatments in Japan. © 2011 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.