Palliative care 2017

Transdermal fentanyl

• Fentanyl more potent than morphine;  equianalgesic dose 25  g/hr = 10-20mg 4 hourly • Morphine required for breakthrough pain

• Controlled release formulation • T½e is around 12 hours • Absorption temperature dependent

• Side-effect profile similar to morphine • Morphine 10% …..? 24 hour overlap period required

Fentanyl may cause withdrawal reaction in