Comparative clinical efficacy and safety of immediate release and controlled release hydromorphone for chronic severe cancer pain

Abstract

Controlled release hydromorphone administered every 12 hours is as effective as immediate release hydromorphone administered every 4 hours in the management of patients with chronic severe cancer pain. The benefits of controlled release hydromorphone lie in the convenience of its capsule formulation, which can be sprinkled on soft food, and its 12-hour duration of action, which allows patients uninterrupted sleep and improved compliance.