Twice-daily versus once-daily morphine sulphate controlled-release suppositories for the treatment of cancer pain. A randomized controlled trial.
We evaluated the safety and efficacy of controlled-release morphine sulphate suppositories administered 12-hourly and once daily in patients with chronic cancer in a randomized double-blind crossover trial. Pain was assessed using a 100-mm VAS pain scale and a five-point ordinal pain scale. The VAS pain intensity score was 17.5+/-17.2 after suppositories every 12 h, versus 16.2+/-13.4 after suppositories every 24 h (difference not significant). The difference between the mean VAS pain scores with 12-hourly and once-daily dosing was 1.3 mm (not significant). The mean ordinal pain scores were 1.0+/-0.7 versus 1.0+/-0.6 for 12-hourly and once-a-day dosing, respectively (not significant). A retrospective power analysis indicated that a difference of 5.9 mm was detectable, even with only 6 patients. Adverse events noted were constipation, nausea, anorexia, and dry mouth. The use of once-a-day controlled-release morphine suppository is a more convenient and equally effective alternative to twice a day dosing.
Bruera
E
E
Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Grey Nuns Community Hospital & Health Centre, University of Alberta and Purdue Frederick, Pickering, Ontario, Canada.
Belzile
M
M
Neumann
C M
CM
Ford
I
I
Harsanyi
Z
Z
Darke
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013488:Suppositories / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013488:Suppositories; D009020:Morphine