Clinical efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone 20 mg administered on a 12-h dosing schedule on the management of postoperative pain after breast surgery for cancer.

SUMMARYObjective: To assess clinical efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone (CRO) 20 mg on a 12-h dosing schedule in this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of 40 ASA physical status I-III women undergoing breast surgery for cancer.Research design and methods: General anaesthesia using remifentanil and propofol was performed for surgery. Both groups received premedication with oral midazolam 7.5 mg 1 h before surgery. In the controlled-release oxycodone group, one tablet of 20 mg CRO was administered with the premedication, and 12 h after the premedication another 20 mg CRO. In the placebo (PL) group, a placebo tablet was administered with the premedication, and 12 h later another placebo tablet. All patients had access to opioid rescue medication via an IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device.Main outcome measures: Area under the curve (AUC), based on IV opioid rescue consumption over 24 h postoperatively.Results: The AUC for IV PCA opioid consumption was significant...