RESUMEN
Background: Tramadol is known to provide synergistic analgesia when used in combination with morphine. Objectives: The aims of this study were: (1) to introduce an opioid combination therapy using pure-µ-opioid receptor agonist (OPI) + tramadol injections (OPI + tramadol) and (2) to elucidate safety and efficacy of this combination therapy for opioid-naïve cancer pain patients. Methods: Opioid-naïve patients referred to our palliative care team (in Japan) who were unable to take oral medications and received OPI + tramadol as opioid induction agents were retrospectively investigated on the electric medical chart. OPI + tramadol dosage was adjusted to achieve the patient's pain as Numerical Rating Scale ≤4/10 or Support Team Assessment Schedule-Japanese ≤1. Patients' demography, doses of OPI and tramadol administered, and adverse events were analyzed. Results: A total of 44 patients were included. The primary organs of malignancy were pancreas (11), stomach (5), lung (4), breast (4), liver (4), and others (13). OPI injections administered were hydromorphone (39), morphine (6), oxycodone (1), and fentanyl (1). The starting doses of OPI (morphine equivalent) and tramadol were 6.05 ± 1.63 and 67.8 ± 13.6 mg/day, respectively, and the final doses of OPI (morphine equivalent) and tramadol were 8.14 ± 3.85 and 80.0 ± 28.5 mg/day, respectively. Treatment goals were achieved in all patients. There were three patients in whom OPI was switched owing to inadequate analgesia and no new side effects other than those known to occur when OPI or tramadol is administered appeared. Conclusion: The results suggest that this innovative and unique opioid therapy can be safely and effectively introduced to opioid-naïve cancer patients who are relatively close to the end of life.
RESUMEN
The efficacy of magnesium oxide(MgO)when taken daily as a laxative for hypomagnesemia and renal dysfunction due to cisplatin(CDDP)administration is not clear. It is known that the efficacy of MgO is suppressed when used in combination with antacids, such as proton pump inhibitors. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the effects of MgO and antacid administration on serum Mg levels and renal function(estimated glomerular filtration rate: eGFR)in CDDP-treated patients. In the analysis of up to 6 cycles of CDDP administration, the serum Mg levels and eGFR of CDDP-treated patients (n=614)were significantly reduced(p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively, ANOVA). Patients who used MgO had higher serum Mg levels than patients who did not use MgO(p<0.001, ANOVA). However, no effect of MgO administration was observed on eGFR(p=0.832, ANOVA). There was no effect of antacid combination on serum Mg levels and eGFR in patients receiving MgO. MgO use may have contributed to a reduction in hypomagnesemia. However, it was considered that the decrease in eGFR could not be suppressed as the improvement in hypomagnesemia was slight. Intravenous Mg supplementation is required when CDDP is administered. Furthermore, it is expected that oral Mg supplementation will improve Mg absorption.