Analgesics for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Analgesics help control pain for stem cell transplant patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

The patient may experience some pain during the stem cell transplant process, usually from sores in the mouth (mucositis) and stomach and/or bottom discomfort.

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Machine

A common way to give analgesics during the stem cell transplant process is with a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) machine.

This machine allows a specific amount of medicine to go through the IV at a constant rate, but also may allow the patient to push a button which gives extra medication if needed.

The PCA only gives a safe amount of medication. Morphine is the most common pain medication used, but examples of other pain medications are Dilaudid and Fentanyl. Common oral pain medications are Tylenol and Oxycodone.

Please contact us if you have questions about antibiotics, other medications or anything else related to the stem cell transplant process.