Schutter, U., Grunert, S., Meyer, C., Schmidt, T., & Nolte, T. (2010). Innovative pain therapy with a fixed combination of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone: A large observational study under conditions of daily practice. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 26, 1377–1387.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined prolonged-release (PR) oxycodone and PR naloxone for treatment of cancer-related pain in daily practice
Patients with severe chronic pain requiring strong analgesics entered a four-week observational period, during which they received PR oxycodone–PR naloxone. The physician determined dosage. Dose adjustments, comedication, rescue medication, and other treatments were also at the discretion of the physician. Follow-up visits occurred after the first week and at the end of the four-week observation. Data were gathered using interviewer-administered questionnaires.
Observational
PR oxycodone–PR naloxone was associated with effective analgesia and reduction in symptoms of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction. This combination was associated with minimal adverse events.
The fixed combination of PR oxycodone–PR naloxone may be effective in managing chronic pain and cause few problems, such as constipation, which opioids typically cause.