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Advances in opioid therapy and formulations

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Abstract

Newly developed opioid analgesics and drug delivery systems may provide pain relief for patients intolerant of morphine. Long-acting oral opioids supply satisfactory analgesia at more convenient dosing intervals. Implantable pumps can provide full analgesic doses of opioids both subcutaneously and intrathecally over extended time periods. Optimal opioid use should rely on individualized dose-finding approaches to enhance pain relief while limiting drug-related side effects and avoiding the common problems associated with opioid prescription in clinical practice.

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Acknowledgment

This manuscript was supported by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Chadds Ford, PA, USA, with editorial assistance provided by Accel Medical Education, New York, NY, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Declan Walsh

  2. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue/M76, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Declan Walsh

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  1. Declan Walsh
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Correspondence to Declan Walsh.

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Walsh, D. Advances in opioid therapy and formulations. Support Care Cancer 13, 138–144 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0743-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0743-x

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