Expert Panel Discusses New Opioids

Charles F. von Gunten, MD, PhD, from The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice in San Diego, Calif., moderated a roundtable discussion on new fentanyl products, oxymorphone, buprenorphine and new morphine-naltrexone products.

The panel of experts raised concerns that no evidence exists comparing the newer fentanyl products with established medications for breakthrough pain, that they cost more, and they may be more difficult to access because they require certification and documentation due to Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies put in place when they received Food and Drug Administration approval. The panelists agreed that the availability of different agents was good, but voiced concerns about lack of experience with them and lack of long-term data.

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