Is acetaminophen beneficial in patients with cancer pain who are on strong opioids? A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Pain is common among cancer patients. The evidence recommends using strong opioids in moderate to severe cancer pain. No conclusive evidence supports the effectiveness of adding acetaminophen to patients with cancer pain who are already using this regime. To assess the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen in hospitalized cancer patients with moderate to severe pain receiving strong opioids. In this randomized blinded clinical trial, hospitalized cancer patients with moderate or severe acute pain managed with strong opioids were randomized to acetaminophen or placebo. The primary outcome was pain intensity difference between baseline and 48 hours using the Visual Numeric Rating Scales (VNRS). Secondary outcomes included change in morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), and patients' perception of improved pain control. Among 112 randomized patients, 56 patients received placebo, 56 acetaminophen. Mean (standard deviation (SD)) decrease in pain intensity (VNRS) at 48 hours were 2.7 (2.5) and 2.3 (2.3), respectively (95% Confidence Interval(CI) [-0.49;1.32];p=0.37). Mean (SD) change in MEDD was 13.9 (33.0) mg/day and 22.4 (57.7), respectively (95% CI [-9.24;26.1];p=0.35). The proportion of patients perceiving pain control improvement after 48 hours was 82% in the placebo and 80% in the acetaminophen arms (p=0.81). Among patients with cancer pain on strong opioid regime, acetaminophen may not improve pain control, or decrease total opioid use. These results add to the current evidence available suggesting not to use acetaminophen as an adjuvant for advanced cancer patients with moderate to severe cancer pain who are on strong opioids.