[Palliative pain therapy, cannabinoids].

Abstract

Cancer pain treatment should follow the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. Treatment should be with oral application, regular application times and following the analgesic step-ladder. Non-opioids such as dipyrone or non-steroids are used for slight to moderate pain, step-2 opioids such as tramadol or tilidine/naloxone for moderate pain and step-3 opioids such as morphine, oxycodone or hydromorphone for severe pain. Transdermal application of fentanyl or buprenorphine offer a non-invasive parenteral alternative for patients with stable pain syndromes. Cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol offer a valuable add-on option for cancer patients with refractory pain, spasticity, nausea or appetite loss.

• Authors: L Radbruch, F Elsner
• Journal: Der Internist (Internist (Berl)) Vol. 46 Issue 10 Pg. 1105-14 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0020-9554 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Palliative Schmerztherapie, Cannabinoide.
• PMID: 15965665 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Analgesics, Opioid
• Cannabinoids

Topics

• Analgesics (administration & dosage)
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (administration & dosage)
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage)
• Cannabinoids (administration & dosage)
• Germany
• Humans
• Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Pain (etiology, prevention & control)
• Palliative Care (methods)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Practice Patterns, Physicians' (trends)
• Terminal Care (methods)
• Treatment Outcome