Portenoy, R.K., Ganae-Motan, E.D., Allende, S., Yanagihara, R., Shaiova, L., Weinstein, S., . . . Fallon, M.T. (2012). Nabiximols for opioid-treated cancer patients with poorly-controlled chronic pain: A randomized, placebo-controlled, graded-dose trial. The Journal of Pain: Official Journal of the American Pain Society, 13(5), 438–449.
To obtain information about the dose response for analgesia and safety in a population with medical illness and pain that is inadequately controlled by an opioid
Patients were randomly assigned to different-dose groupings of nabiximol or placebo delivered as an oral spray. Study design included a 5- to 14–day baseline period, five weeks of treatment titration, and a poststudy follow-up after two weeks. Patients received a daily call, from a voice recording system, that asked them to grade average pain. Patients continued the use of scheduled opioids and usual analgesics for the treatment of breakthrough pain. Patients who received at least one dose of the study drug were included in intent-to-treat analysis.
Randomized placebo-controlled, graded-dose trial
Nabiximols can be beneficial in the treatment of the refractory pain of patients with cancer. This study represents a start in regard to discovering the optimum dose effect and safety of nabiximols. In this study, low to medium doses were associated with the greatest effect.
This study affects nursing by providing a potential treatment option for patients with opioid-refractory pain. Nurses should be able to recognize opioid-refractory patients. Nurses should be educated regarding this novel cannabinoid treatment, its administration, and its side effects. Nurses should be able to teach patients how to use nabiximols.