Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pain occurs in 70-80% of cancer patients. The concerned about the development of dependence, tolerance, addiction, respiratory depression and severe constipation led to the growing interest in the use of analgesics which have antagonist properties. The aim of this study was to assess whether buprenorphine is associated with superior, inferior or equal analgesic potency and tolerability as compared to morphine. Material and Methods: 40 patients with moderate to severe pain were randomized into two equal groups of 20 each. Group-A received sustained release 30 mg oral morphine one tablet 12 hourly and group B received sublingually tab buprenorphine 0.2 mg 8 hourly. VAS, number of rescue doses, compliance and adverse effects were noted. The duration of study was 12 weeks. Results: The VAS score in both the groups was comparable in moderate pain group. The VAS score and number of rescue doses were more in buprenorphine group in severe pain patients. Compliance in buprenorphine group was better due to absence of constipation in moderate cancer pain patient. Conclusion: In moderate cancer pain S/L Buprenorphine was appreciated by the patients due to less constipation while in severe pain morphine was found to be better.1

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