Advice
Following a full submission
fentanyl buccal tablets (Effentora) are accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of breakthrough pain (BTP) in adults with cancer who are already receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain. When compared with placebo, the tablets showed an improvement in patient assessment of the intensity of breakthrough pain.
Use of fentanyl buccal tablets should be restricted to patients who are unsuitable for other short-acting opioids e.g. oral morphine.
Prescribers should be aware of the differing absorption and elimination characteristics of available buccal fentanyl preparations; doses are not interchangeable.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- fentanyl buccal tablets (Effentora)
- SMC ID:
- 510/08
- Indication:
- Breakthrough pain in adults with cancer
- Pharmaceutical company
- Cephalon UK Ltd
- BNF chapter
- Central nervous system
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Restricted
- Date advice published
- 09 February 2009