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Updated: May 30, 2026

Fentanyl Analog Screening using LC-TIMS-TOF MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2024
Fentanyl for breakthrough pain: a systematic review.
1Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, The Harry R Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. davism6@ccf.org
Oral transmucosal fentanyl (OTFC) and intranasal fentanyl (INFS) offer faster pain relief than other oral opioids. INFS showed superior patient acceptance and efficacy compared to buccal fentanyl, with low abuse potential in selected patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
- Clinical Therapeutics
Background:
- Breakthrough pain requires rapid and effective analgesia.
- Opioid analgesics are commonly used, but onset times vary.
- Fentanyl formulations offer different delivery routes for pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the efficacy and safety of fentanyl formulations for breakthrough pain.
- To compare the onset of analgesia for different fentanyl delivery systems.
- To assess patient acceptance and abuse potential of fentanyl analgesics.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Comparative analysis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data.
- Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes and adverse event profiles.
Main Results:
- Oral transmucosal fentanyl (OTFC) demonstrated a faster onset of analgesia than immediate-release oral opioids.
- Intranasal fentanyl (INFS) provided quicker analgesia than buccal tablets, which were faster than OTFC.
- INFS showed higher patient acceptance and global efficacy ratings than buccal fentanyl.
- OTFC and INFS were effective in opioid-naive children for acute pain.
- Low rates of abuse and addiction were observed for OTFC, fentanyl buccal tablets, and INFS, attributed to careful patient selection.
Conclusions:
- Fentanyl formulations, particularly INFS and OTFC, offer rapid analgesia for breakthrough pain.
- Route of administration significantly impacts the onset of fentanyl's analgesic effect.
- Careful patient selection is crucial for minimizing the risks of abuse and addiction associated with these potent analgesics.
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