Oxycodone for cancer-related pain: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Arch Intern Med. 2006 Apr 24;166(8):837-43. doi: 10.1001/archinte.166.8.837.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxycodone in cancer-related pain, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Four studies, comparing oral oxycodone with either oral morphine (n = 3) or oral hydromorphone (n = 1), were suitable for meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences in pain scores comparing oxycodone with control groups were pooled using random-effects models. Overall, there was no evidence that mean pain scores differed between oxycodone and control drugs (pooled standardized mean difference, 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.29 to 0.36; P = .8; I(2) = 62%). In meta-regression analyses, pain scores were higher for oxycodone compared with morphine (0.20; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.44) and lower compared with hydromorphone (-0.36; 95% CI, -0.71 to 0.00), although these effect sizes were small. The efficacy and tolerability of oxycodone are similar to morphine, supporting its use as an opioid for cancer-related pain.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Oxycodone / therapeutic use*
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / etiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Oxycodone