Fentora

Cancer, in any form, is a complex medical condition leading to debilitating pain
in the cancer patient. Because cancer leads to debilitating chronic and acute
pain, many patients are on a never ending quest to seek out the much needed pain
relief options. From homeopathic remedies to alterative medicine, many patients
find the control of cancer related pain, especially in association with
breakthrough pain, will come in the form of prescription medications.

In an effort to remedy the complications associated with breakthrough cancer
pain, Cephalon, Inc. has released an FDA approved drug, Fentora, to aide cancer
patients in regaining control over excruciating and periodic breakthrough pain
associated with cancer. For many cancer patients, suffering from breakthrough
pain, a combination of medications may be provided to alleviate the
complications of pain and restore, to some extent, the mobility.

As a convenient dosing formula, Fentora, in the treatment of breakthrough pain,
is recommended at 100 mcg per dose with incremenetal increases in dosing to as
high as 800 mcg, depending on the toleration of side effects and the therapeutic
relief. For most patients, Fentora will be dosed in a smaller mcg dosing level
with allowance for one additional dosing after 30 minutes of the initial dose,
if pain is not releived. As a disadvantage to Fentora, this is not an FDA
approved prescription tablet that can be swallowed or chewed. Instead, dose is
adminstered by placing the tablet along the cheek area and allowing it to
dissolve. With dissolution, Fentora is released into the blood stream where it
begins to alleviate breakthrough pain.

As with most FDA approved drugs, the use of Fentora, in the treatment of a
breakthrough pain in the cancer patient, may result in side effects. As a
general rule, most side effects will dissipate as treatment progresses and the
right therapeutic levels are attained. When using Fentora, side effects most
commonly experienced by patients include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and
fatigue. Should these symptoms become persistent, the oncologist or pain
management specialists may need to adjust the dosing accordingly.

Contraindications, in the use of Fentora in the treatment of breakthrough pain
in the cancer patient, include those patients with co-morbid complications
including respiratory complications and those hwo are at risk for substance
abuse and complications associated with addiction. Additionally, as a Category C
drug classification, the use of Fentora may not be indicated in pregnancy as the
effects of use, in the treatment of a breakthrough pain, have not been
confirmed, or ruled out, to complicate a pregnancy or developing fetus. As with
any cancer treatment plan, the key to the management of your complications will
lie in the early intervention, diagnosis and the establishment of not only a
treatment plan to fight the cancer but also the treatment to resolve
breakthrough pain and even complications of a psychological nature. For
individuals who suffer from complications of breakthrough pain associated with
cancer, discuss the use of prescription medications in the control of your pain
as this may provide some relief of discomfort and secondary mental health
complications attributed to the illness.