Exploring Analgesic Use Patterns Among Cancer Survivors With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Objectives: To explore cancer survivors’ historical and current use of analgesics for chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Sample & Setting: 142 post-treatment cancer survivors who received neurotoxic chemotherapy and were experiencing moderate to severe CIPN.

Methods & Variables: Participants completed the Treatment-Induced Neuropathy Assessment Scale at baseline and reported all analgesics used to manage CIPN. Frequency of historical or current prescription analgesic use for chronic CIPN was described and stratified by CIPN pain severity.

Results: At baseline, 31% of participants reported historical use of analgesics for CIPN and 46% of participants were currently using analgesics for CIPN. Gabapentin was the most frequently used analgesic, historically (20%) and currently (34%), and duloxetine was used less frequently (6% historical use, 10% current use). Many participants with severe pain (59%) reported using analgesics for CIPN.

Implications for Nursing: Duloxetine, the first-line treatment for chronic CIPN pain, was used less frequently than gabapentin, a common prescription analgesic for neuropathic pain. Further research is needed to determine strategies to promote the implementation of evidence-based CIPN treatments in clinical practice.