Better Cancer Pain Relief

Cancer patients who had breakthrough pain (sudden moderate to severe pain that is not controlled by regular drug therapy) experienced 33% greater relief within 15 minutes of dissolving a lozenge containing the painkiller fentanyl (Actiq) in their mouths compared with oral morphine, which they usually used.

Theory: The fentanyl lozenge dissolves fast, allowing it to be absorbed more quickly than oral pain medication.