Targin - efficacy and safety of therapy following conversion from earlier opioid in patients with cancer pain. Observational study report

Abstract

The aim of the study was evaluation of the efficacy, safety and compliance of the treatment with combination of oxycodone / naloxone (Targin) after the rotation from weak or strong opioid in a multicenter, open, prospective, observational study. Research group consisted of adult patients with chronic, severe cancer pain with presents of symptoms of Opioid Induced Constipation (OIC) associated with the previous treatment were enrolled into the rotation to oxycodone /naloxone (Targin). The study consisted of 4 visits in total, the observation was scheduled for 3 months. The following data were collected: daily dose of oxycodone / naloxone, pain intensity (NRS), adverse effects, number of omitted doses (compliance). After completion of all four visits an assessment of the efficacy and safety of the Targin treatment was made. A reduction in pain intensity (NRS) from baseline of 5.2 (average pain intensity at V1) to 2.1 (average pain intensity for V4) was observed. In sub-groups selected according to previous pain therapy, a reduction in pain intensity out of 5,0 (average pain intensity for V1 in patients treated earlier with strong opioids) to 2.1 (V4) and 5.7 (average pain intensity for V1 in patients treated earlier with weak opioids) to 2.1 (V4). The proportion of patients who did not require laxatives decreased from visit to visit. Patients who received Targin monotherapy after the rotation showed a greater compliance than patients who, in addition to Targin, also were prescribed with another opioid. In the group of patients who completed all four visits, efficacy was assessed as very good or good in 91.7% cases, similarly in 95.8% cases tolerability was evaluated as very good or good. Concluding, rotation to Targin from both, the weak and strong opioids, resulted in a very good and good pain control with reduction in the frequency and severity of OIC. The final result could be multifactorial, but we can confirm the good analgesic efficacy and favorable tolerability profile of Targin with significant reduction of OIC symptoms.