Table 2.
Stepwise protocol for treatment of pain
| Step | Pain treatment at baseline | Study treatment | Dosage | No (%) of residents (n=175) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No analgesics, or low dose of paracetamol | Paracetamol (acetaminophen) | Maximum dose 3 g/day | 120 (69)* |
| 2 | Full dose of paracetamol or low dose morphine | Morphine | 5 mg twice daily; maximum dose 10 mg twice daily | 4 (2) |
| 3 | Low dose buprenorphine or inability to swallow | Buprenorphine transdermal patch | 5 µg/h, maximum dose 10 µg/h | 39 (22)† |
| 4 | Neuropathic pain | Pregabaline |
25 mg once daily; maximum dose 300 mg/day | 12 (7) |
*In nine participants an existing low dosage was increased.
†Dosage was increased in eight participants.