title: Prolonged release extradural morphine.
abstract: The effects of extradural administration of a microcrystalline preparation of morphine (Duromorph) were studied in 5 patients with postoperative or malignant pain. As assessed by pain scores on a visual analogue scale, the effects of the analgesic were extremely variable; the best results were obtained in patients with postoperative pain. Two patients with chronic pain due to malignant disease developed slow respiratory rates. The plasma concentration of morphine usually followed a biphasic pattern; an initial peak between 0.5 and 1.5 hours was succeeded by a second, large peak between 6 and 12 hours. There was little or no apparent relation between the plasma concentration of morphine and the relief of pain, suggesting that Duromorph may have a local effect on the spinal cord.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009020:Morphine