BACKGROUND: Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) is complex and severe, affecting quality of life and increasing hospitalisation. BTCP has a rapid onset that requires fast acting medication with minimal side effects.
OBJECTIVE: This article compares the effectiveness of intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS) and oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) and their alleviation of BTCP within 10 minutes of administration.
METHODS: The article considers pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies demonstrating the efficacy of the route of administration, time-based effects of pain relief as well as patient preference.
CONCLUSIONS: The data collected indicates that INFS is more effective than OTFC for BTCP.