Inefficacy of high-dose transdermal fentanyl in a patient with neuropathic pain, a case report.

Abstract

Pain partially responsive to opioids can lead to rapid escalating dosages due to tolerance development. In this report the case of a 58-year-old female with neuropathic pain using increasing transdermal (TTS) fentanyl dosages to a maximum dose of 3400 microg/h resulting in fentanyl plasma levels of 173 ng/ml is described. For pain relief an epidural infusion at the level T1-2 with bupivacaine was started. Immediate pain relief was accompanied by short lasting respiratory depression and drowsiness.