The efficacy and safety profile of methadone for intractable cancer pain in advanced lung cancer patients: a single-center retrospective analysis of 37 Japanese patients

Methadone was prescribed for intractable pain in 37 patients with advanced lung cancer during the study period. The leading cause of intractable pain was bone metastasis (including invasion). Both the pain intensity in NRS and the number of rescue doses were significantly reduced by the introduction of methadone (P < .001). In only two patients, methadone was discontinued due to the side effects thought to be caused by this drug. The results of this study indicated the favorable efficacy and safety profile of methadone for intractable pain in patients with advanced lung cancer.