| abstract |
An opioid formulation for use in a method of providing analgesia to a patient, where the formulation comprises an effective amount of at least one rapid onset opioid; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the at least one rapid-onset opium is chosen from fentanyl, alfentanil, sufentanil and remifentanil, preferably between fentanyl and alfentanil; further comprising an effective amount of at least one sustained opium to provide sustained release, where the concentration and type of each opioid in the formulation is selected such that, during inhalation, analgesia is reached before the onset of said side effect, and the onset of said side effect occurs before the onset of toxicity, and in such a way that the maximum total opioid plasma concentration does not reach toxic levels, whereby the onset of said side effect can be used by the patient to finish the inhalation to avoid toxicity. |