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DOI Link
Search Strategy
DATABASES USED: CINAHL and MEDLINE
KEYWORDS: Cancer pain, pain management, and morphine; reference list from search articles 1990–2000
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Only articles using strong opioids (e.g., morphine, methadone, ketamine, fentanyl)
Literature Evaluated
COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Most articles were anecdotal or case studies. A total of 16 articles fit inclusion criteria.
Sample Characteristics
FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 16
KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with cancer using strong opioids; no true sampling
Conclusions
The evidence does show encouraging results with use of fentanyl, methadone, and ketamine. Transdermal fentanyl is recommended for those with stable pain because it is difficult to titrate quickly. All of these strong opioids were well tolerated and seemed to be comparable to morphine.
Limitations
Most of the evidence available is anecdotal.
Nursing Implications
More research is needed in this area.