title: The efficacy and side effects of continuous infusion intravenous morphine (CIVM) for pain and symptoms due to advanced cancer.
abstract: Morphine is the strong opioid of choice in the management of moderate-to-severe chronic cancer pain. The preferred route of administration is oral, in individually titrated doses, regularly scheduled around the clock We conducted a retrospective study of continuous intravenous morphine (CIVM) in a palliative medicine program in 107 consecutive patients. The results suggest CIVM is an effective, safe, and versatile method of morphine administration when used with a defined protocol. Efficacy was similar to that obtained by others with intravenous morphine sulfate and also for oral morphine. Safety was suggested by the low incidence of dose-limiting side effects, most of which responded to dose reduction. Particularly noteworthy was the flexibility of CIVM with dose reduction in 20 percent.
authors.affiliation: Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Glare
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Groh
authors.forename: Kristine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine