Table 2 Purposes of use of prophylactic rescue doses
From: Safety profile of prophylactic rescue dosing of immediate-release oral opioids in cancer patients
| Purpose | Prophylactic morphine | Prophylactic oxycodone | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 38 | n = 30 | n = 68 | |
| Before meals (pain relief while eating) | 13 | 3 | 16 |
| Before bedtime (pain relief while falling asleep) | 3 | 10 | 13 |
| Before meals and bedtime (pain relief while eating and falling asleep) | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Before radiation therapy (pain relief during radiation therapy) | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| Before rehabilitation or intervention (pain relief during rehabilitation or intervention) | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Patient’s decision to use for pain | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Patient’s decision to use for respiratory distress | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Patient’s decision to use for abdominal bloating | 1 | 0 | 1 |