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Vol 10, No 1 (2011)
Original articles
Published online: 2011-04-26
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Preliminary experience with the use of a new once-daily prolonged-release oral morphine capsules* in cancer patients with pain

Wojciech Leppert, Radosław Lepka, Michał Chojnicki
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2011;10(1):23-28.

open access

Vol 10, No 1 (2011)
Original articles
Published online: 2011-04-26

Abstract

Background. In an open, clinical study, preliminary assessment of analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of prolonged-release morphine sulphate capsules administered once-daily was conducted in patients with cancer whose pain required strong opioid analgesics administration.

Material and methods. Seventeen patients participated who were treated with capsules containing 20, 40 and 60 mg of the drug. The former treatment comprised morphine (8 patients): controlled-release (5), immediate-release (one), subcutaneous and the study drug (akin 1 patient), transdermal fentanyl (3), tramadol (2), non-opioid analgesics (3) and combination of transdermal buprenorphine with immediate-release morphine in one patient. Analgesia was assessed by NRS (Numerical Rating Scale: 0 — no pain, 10 — the most severe pain); the result 1–3 was assessed as good, 4–5 as satisfactory, over 5 as unsatisfactory. Adverse effects were assessed by verbal scale: 0 — none; 1 — mild; 2 — moderate; 3 — severe.

Results. Treatment lasted 7–161 (mean 50.47 ± 40.51) days; the daily dose range was 20–180 mg. Eleven patients (65%) assessed analgesia as good, 5 patients (30%) as partial, one patient (5%) had unsatisfactory analgesic effect. Adverse effects observed were as follows: constipation in 9 patients, drowsiness in two patients, nausea and vomiting in 2 patients, nausea alone in one patient, dry mouth in one patient.

Conclusions. This preliminary study demonstrated high analgesic efficacy of prolonged-release once-daily morphine capsules in the dose range 20–180 mg in cancer patients with pain requiring strong opioid analgesics administration. The treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse effects observed.

Adv. Pall. Med. 2011; 10, 1: 23–28

Abstract

Background. In an open, clinical study, preliminary assessment of analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of prolonged-release morphine sulphate capsules administered once-daily was conducted in patients with cancer whose pain required strong opioid analgesics administration.

Material and methods. Seventeen patients participated who were treated with capsules containing 20, 40 and 60 mg of the drug. The former treatment comprised morphine (8 patients): controlled-release (5), immediate-release (one), subcutaneous and the study drug (akin 1 patient), transdermal fentanyl (3), tramadol (2), non-opioid analgesics (3) and combination of transdermal buprenorphine with immediate-release morphine in one patient. Analgesia was assessed by NRS (Numerical Rating Scale: 0 — no pain, 10 — the most severe pain); the result 1–3 was assessed as good, 4–5 as satisfactory, over 5 as unsatisfactory. Adverse effects were assessed by verbal scale: 0 — none; 1 — mild; 2 — moderate; 3 — severe.

Results. Treatment lasted 7–161 (mean 50.47 ± 40.51) days; the daily dose range was 20–180 mg. Eleven patients (65%) assessed analgesia as good, 5 patients (30%) as partial, one patient (5%) had unsatisfactory analgesic effect. Adverse effects observed were as follows: constipation in 9 patients, drowsiness in two patients, nausea and vomiting in 2 patients, nausea alone in one patient, dry mouth in one patient.

Conclusions. This preliminary study demonstrated high analgesic efficacy of prolonged-release once-daily morphine capsules in the dose range 20–180 mg in cancer patients with pain requiring strong opioid analgesics administration. The treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse effects observed.

Adv. Pall. Med. 2011; 10, 1: 23–28

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Keywords

pain; adverse effects; analgesic efficacy; morphine; opioids

About this article
Title

Preliminary experience with the use of a new once-daily prolonged-release oral morphine capsules* in cancer patients with pain

Journal

Advances in Palliative Medicine

Issue

Vol 10, No 1 (2011)

Pages

23-28

Published online

2011-04-26

Page views

527

Article views/downloads

1198

Bibliographic record

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2011;10(1):23-28.

Keywords

pain
adverse effects
analgesic efficacy
morphine
opioids

Authors

Wojciech Leppert
Radosław Lepka
Michał Chojnicki

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