Study: Fentanyl Patch Effective in Alleviating Arthritis Pain

A patch that transmits the drug fentanyl through the skin appears to be effective in alleviating arthritis pain.

Fentanyl is one of several synthetic opioids available by prescription. The effectiveness of the patch was detailed September 4 in two studies presented at the annual meeting of the European Association of the International Society for Anesthetic Pharmacology.

One study involved 159 patients with osteoarthritis and 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with the fentanyl patch. Of those, 45 percent reported good or excellent pain control, while 35 percent reported moderate pain control, resulting in improvements in their ability to perform everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, eating and walking.

The second study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the patch over 13 months in 683 patients with chronic back pain. About half of the patients were treated with the three-day fentanyl patch and the rest received sustained-release morphine twice daily.

The fentanyl patch was found to be equivalent to morphine for overall pain relief, but was significantly better with respect to pain relief while the patients rested and also during the night. In addition, 48 percent of patients taking morphine experienced constipation, compared to only 31 percent of those treated with the fentanyl patch.

"Although the use of stronger painkillers has been viewed with some hesitancy among the medical community, this new research shows overall benefits that translate into real, practical advantages for patients, greatly improving quality of life," said study author Dr Wilfried Ilias of the Hospital of the Order of Saint John of God in Vienna, Austria,

The fentanyl patch was generally well tolerated by study participants with the most common side effects being nausea, vomiting, constipation, somnolence and dizziness. The side effects were mild to moderate and decreased over time.

Other sources: International Society for Anesthetic Pharmacology