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75 Years. On Chemo And Radiation Therapy For Lung Cancer. On 100mcg Fentanyl Patches Along With 30mg Morphine Every 2 Hours. Normal?
my father has been taking chemo and radiation therapy for lung cancer. he is 75 yrs old and has stage IIA cancer he is stopped taking treatment due to hoapitalization for confusion but my question is that he is currently being administered (3) 100mcg fentanyl patches at the same time and new ones are put on daily. is it unusual for someone to be given such a large dos of fentanyl along with 30mg of morphine every 2 hrs
Thu, 5 Sep 2013
Hi and thanks for the query,
Prescription of drugs, especially for patients with cancer are actually very patient specific. Drug doses and combinations are decided based on the clinical state of the patient and the initial response of the patient to other drugs. I suppose, as It should be the case, that the monitoring in the case of your father us actually stringent. This is so to permit modification of doses in case of inadequate response or side effects. Withdrawal is usually also well planned by physician to monitor withdrawal symptoms if any and side effects.
I strongly suggest you discuss with his doctor for any advice. And do not hesitate signaling any unusual event as soon as you notice it. Kind regards.
Bain LE, MD
Prescription of drugs, especially for patients with cancer are actually very patient specific. Drug doses and combinations are decided based on the clinical state of the patient and the initial response of the patient to other drugs. I suppose, as It should be the case, that the monitoring in the case of your father us actually stringent. This is so to permit modification of doses in case of inadequate response or side effects. Withdrawal is usually also well planned by physician to monitor withdrawal symptoms if any and side effects.
I strongly suggest you discuss with his doctor for any advice. And do not hesitate signaling any unusual event as soon as you notice it. Kind regards.
Bain LE, MD
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Fentanyl is approximately 100-150 times more potent than oral morphine;
Fentanyl patch 100 mcg/hr is equivalent to 360 mg of oral morphine dose in 24 hrs.
Oral morphine is preferred when an opioid is required for severe chronic pain
because of its familiarity, availability and the ease of dose adjustment.
Reserve fentanyl patches for use in opioid-tolerant patients with chronic pain and established opioid needs who cannot take oral morphine, for example in severe renal impairment .
Fentanyl is also useful when oral morphine cannot be used due to vomiting or difficulty in swallowing.
Fentanyl patch 100 mcg/hr is equivalent to 360 mg of oral morphine dose in 24 hrs.
Oral morphine is preferred when an opioid is required for severe chronic pain
because of its familiarity, availability and the ease of dose adjustment.
Reserve fentanyl patches for use in opioid-tolerant patients with chronic pain and established opioid needs who cannot take oral morphine, for example in severe renal impairment .
Fentanyl is also useful when oral morphine cannot be used due to vomiting or difficulty in swallowing.
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