Table 6.
Most common adverse events related to treatment with transdermal fentanyl or sustained release oral morphine and bowel function, skin assessments, and disease progression. Values are numbers (percentages) of patients
| Fentanyl (n=250) | Morphine (n=238) | |
|---|---|---|
| Whole body | ||
| Fatigue | 14 (6) | 8 (3) |
| Central and peripheral nervous system | ||
| Dizziness | 28 (11) | 9 (4) |
| Headache | 22 (9) | 15 (6) |
| Gastrointestinal system | ||
| Abdominal pain | 11 (4) | 8 (3) |
| Constipation | 41 (16) | 52 (22) |
| Diarrhoea | 13 (5) | 7 (3) |
| Dry mouth | 21 (8) | 22 (9) |
| Nausea | 64 (26) | 44 (18) |
| Vomiting | 25 (10) | 24 (10) |
| Psychiatric disorders | ||
| Anorexia | 11 (4) | 3 (1) |
| Somnolence | 45 (18) | 34 (14) |
| Skin and appendages | ||
| Pruritus | 26 (10) | 20 (8) |
| Increased sweating | 22 (9) | 11 (5) |
| Bowel function (assessed by questionnaire) | ||
| Constipation* | 71 (29) | 112 (48) |
| Diarrhoea | 16 (7) | 16 (7) |
| Skin assessments | ||
| Erythema | 101 (41) | — |
| Oedema | 14 (6) | — |
| Itching | 80 (33) | — |
| Papules or pustules | 29 (12) | — |
| Disease progression | (n=225) | (n=224) |
| Improved | 15 (7) | 3 (1) |
| Deteriorated | 6 (3) | 14 (6) |
| Stable | 204 (91) | 207 (92) |
*
P<0.001.