Intrathecal analgesia for refractory cancer pain

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008 Aug;12(4):249-56. doi: 10.1007/s11916-008-0043-0.

Abstract

The use of intrathecal analgesics is an important treatment consideration for many patients with chronic cancer pain. This review describes the various opioid and nonopioid analgesics that have been used in this setting, including morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, sufentanil, local anesthetics, clonidine, ketamine, baclofen, midazolam, betamethasone, and octreotide. We discuss available evidence for their analgesic and adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesia / methods*
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pain, Intractable / complications
  • Pain, Intractable / drug therapy*
  • Pain, Intractable / pathology

Substances

  • Analgesics