Pain Management

SALT LAKE CITY—Choosing appropriate treatment options and then following strict monitoring parameters are essential for patients with challenging cancer pain, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association.

“Cancer patients with pain have risks too. So risk stratification and risk minimization should be employed for all patients,” said David S. Craig, PharmD, BCPS, from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a short-acting formulation of oxycodone (Oxecta, Pfizer) that uses “Aversion” technology to stop potential abusers from crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the drug. Oral abuse remains possible. In addition, Pfizer acknowledged that the potential to abuse the drug through all routes is feasible.

The drug is indicated for acute and chronic moderate-to-severe pain.

Opioids remain a mainstay of treatment for moderate-to-severe cancer pain. In this interview, Judith A. Paice, PhD, RN, director, Cancer Pain Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, discusses the issues surrounding the use of opioids for the management of cancer pain.