[Sustained-release Opioids: Morphine, Oxycodone and Tapentadol].

Opioid analgesics are widely used for managing moderate to severe pain. In cancer pain management sustained-release opioids are used for continuous pain as well as immediate-release opioids for breakthrough pain. Sustained-release drugs have the advantage of stabilizing the blood concentration, although it takes some time to exert their effects. In Japan, the currently available oral sustained-release opioids include six types of sustained-release morphine (three are once-a-day formulations, while the rest are twice-a-day), one type of oxycodone and tapentadol. In this article, we will discuss the pharmacokinetic properties of MS Contin, Morphes, Kadian, P guard and Pacif as sustained-release morphine, Oxycontin as sustained-release oxycodone and Tapenta as sustained-release tapentadol.