[Piritramide versus oxycodone for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. Opioid-induced side effects].

backgroundThe aim of the study was to compare the opioid piritramide (7.5 mg/ml) which is commonly used in Germany (equipotential 5 mg morphine) to oxycodone (10 mg/ml) when given for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in surgical disciplines, such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, trauma surgery and gynecological surgery. Typical side effects of the respective opioids and safety of the procedures were compared. Oxycodone is available both as parenteral and oral formulations. MATERIALS AND

methodsData from the acute pain service during patient-controlled analgesia were evaluated. Quantitative data regarding opioid consumption and typical opioid side effects as well as qualitative results of patient satisfaction were recorded and evaluated for the respective specialist disciplines.

resultsBetween 1 April 2005 and 31 August 2007 (35 months) 2,231 patients were treated with piritramide PCIA (PPCIA) and between 1 September 2007 and 31 December 2012 (64 months) 4,714 patients were treated with oxycodone PCIA (OPCIA). Patient satisfaction: overall, patients in both groups rated PCIA as very good or good with a higher percentage (98.9 %) in the oxycodone group than in the piritramide group (96.7 %) and 0.3 % of patients were only moderately satisfied or dissatisfied with the therapy. Typical side effects of opioids: the rate of side effects in the oxycodone group (6.7 %) was approximately 50 % lower compared with the piritramide treatment group (12.7 %). Nausea: with approximately 4 % in the piritramide group across all 4 specialties the incidence of nausea was markedly higher in the piritramide group than in the oxycodone group; however, this difference was statistically significant only for general and orthopedic surgery. Vomiting: vomiting was reported in about 6 % (mean) for PPCIA and significantly less frequently in 2 % (mean) for OPCIA. Fatigue and somnolence: these two side effects typically seen with opioid PCIA occurred only very rarely in a total of 1 % of all patients. In the PPCIA group the incidence was 1 % as directly compared to the significantly lower incidence of 0.6 % in the OPCIA group.

conclusionThe direct comparison of piritramide and oxycodone showed advantages for oxycodone in terms of typical opioid side effects. The effectiveness of analgesia was comparable in both groups.