A comparison of the respiratory effects of oxycodone versus morphine: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation.
Oxycodone's respiratory profile (particularly the extent of respiratory depression in comparison to morphine) remains to be fully characterised in the peri-operative period. We randomly assigned ASA 1-2 adults for elective surgery under general anaesthesia to receive saline, morphine 0.1 mg.kg⁻¹, or oxycodone 0.05 mg.kg⁻¹, 0.1 mg.kg⁻¹, or 0.2 mg.kg(-1) . Results were obtained from six patients in the saline group, 12 patients in the groups receiving morphine 0.1 mg.kg⁻¹, oxycodone 0.05 mg.kg⁻¹ and 0.1 mg.kg⁻¹, and from 10 patients who received oxycodone 0.2 mg.kg⁻¹. Patients were breathing spontaneously and minute ventilation monitored with a wet wedge spirometer for 30 min. All active groups demonstrated significant respiratory depression compared to saline (p < 0.0001 for all groups). The mean (SD) reduction in minute volume from baseline was 22.6% (10.4%) for the morphine 0.1 group and 53.3% (27.2%), 74.4% (12.9%) and 88.6% (13.5%) for the oxycodone 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 groups, respectively, with significant dose dependent differences between oxycodone groups (p = 0.0007). The extent and speed of onset of oxycodone induced respiratory depression was dose dependent and greater than an equivalent dose of morphine.
Chang
S H
SH
Anaesthesia Research Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK. serene@doctors.org.uk
Maney
K M
KM
Phillips
J P
JP
Langford
R M
RM
Mehta
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D010098:Oxycodone