Objective: To investigate the proper conversing rate from morphine to continuous infusion of fentanyl in patients suffering cancer pain. Methods: A retrospective study was carried on in 20 patients with cancer pain in Shizuoka Cancer Center from Sep. 2002 to Nov. 2003. Pain intensity, adverse reactions, and satisfaction index of patients were evaluated. Results: The pain intensity was stable in 17 patients indicating good pain-control within 1 week after conversion and unstable in 3 patients after conversion suggesting poor pain-control. Fentanyl injection could alleviate side effects and increase the satisfaction index of patients. Conclusion: The equipotent ratio for conversion of low dose morphine to fentanyl injection was established as 72:1, and for non low dose morphine a ratio less than 72:1 was proposed to get stable pain-relieving effect. But the equipotent ratio for conversion of morphine to continuous infusion of fentanyl could not be determined. We must consider the morphine dose before the confirmation of the conversing rate.
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