Efficacy of and Dependence/Addiction to Strong Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Pain：Experience in Prescribing Fentanyl Patch

Abstract

Although opioid analgesics are partially effective for chronic pain, dependence/addiction is a major problem. Strictly selecting and monitoring patients and signing treatment contracts are important, especially if strong opioid analgesics are prescribed. In this study, the author examined the analgesic effect and dependence/addiction to fentanyl patch（FP）for chronic pain. The intensities of pain were lower compared to before prescription in 12 patients to whom FP were continuously prescribed for over a year. One patient was suspected to have developed opioid dependence/addiction. However, the opioid-related aberrant behavior developed by FP was inhibited by re-exhibiting the strict treatment contract signed before prescribing FP.