Objective  

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy as well as adverse effects of OxyContin for the treatment of moderate to severe cancer pain.

Methods  

OxyContin was administered at an initial dose of 10 mg every 12 h and titrated upwards according to the extent of pain relief. The analgesic effect, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scale as well as adverse effects were investigated.

Results  

The mean onset time and duration of analgesic effect was 41 min and 12.6 h, respectively, with the daily average dose of 69.03 mg. Among all the 31 patients who had suffered moderate to severe pain, slight pain relief was achieved in one patient (3.23 %). Moderate, obvious and complete pain relief were achieved in 4 (12.90 %), 20 (64.52 %) and 6 (19.53%), respectively. KPS was elevated in 19 (61.29%) and stable in 9 (29.03%) patients after administration of OxyContin. 3 (9.68%) patients were died of disease deterioration. Main adverse effect was constipation in 10 cases (32.26%).

Conclusion  

OxyContin was effective in the treatment of moderate to severe cancer pain, with rapid onset, good analgesic performance, mild adverse effect and safety profile.