| Symptoms | NOSE score,* mean ± SD† | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline n = 45 | 2 wk n = 39 | 2 mo n = 34 | 4–6 mo n = 31 | |
| Nausea/vomiting/lack of appetite | 2.23 ± 2.89 | 1.29 ± 2.13 | 1.62 ± 2.69 | 1.71 ± 2.24 |
| Fatigue/trouble concentrating/ hallucinations/drowsiness | 3.15 ± 2.83 | 2.10 ± 2.73 | 2.38 ± 2.62 | 2.97 ± 2.56 |
| Constipation | 2.80 ± 2.80 | 2.92 ± 3.38 | 3.33 ± 3.21 | 3.32 ± 3.11 |
| Itching | 2.03 ± 2.90 | 1.23 ± 1.84 | 1.66 ± 2.27 | 1.52 ± 2.61 |
| Decreased sexual desire | 4.61 ± 4.79 | 2.22 ± 3.80 | 2.39 ± 4.15 | 3.68 ± 4.61 |
| Dry mouth | 5.23 ± 3.53 | 3.31 ± 2.78 | 4.59 ± 3.17 | 4.52‡ ± 3.08 |
| Abdominal pain | 2.80 ± 3.13 | 1.36 ± 1.69 | 1.88 ± 2.48 | 1.77 ± 2.22 |
| Sweating | 1.58 ± 2.05 | 1.36 ± 1.91 | 1.33 ± 1.83 | 1.42 ± 1.95 |
| Headaches/dizziness | 2.08 ± 2.41 | 1.95 ± 2.45 | 1.76 ± 2.50 | 1.84 ± 2.37 |
| Urine retention | 1.39 ± 2.14 | 1.21 ± 2.09 | 1.15 ± 1.86 | 1.23 ± 1.61 |
| Minimum completion rate for any question, no. (%) | 36 (80) | 36 (92) | 31 (91) | 28 (90) |
Note: SD = standard deviation. *Scores for self-reported adverse effects were derived with use of the NOSE (Numerical Opioid Side Effect) assessment tool;21 scores range from 0 (not present) to 10 (bad). †Unless stated otherwise. ‡p < 0.05 compared with baseline.