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Morphine kills pain — not patients
March 22, 2007Research published in Palliative Medicine from SAGE
Many people, including health care workers, believe that morphine is a lethal drug that causes death when used to control pain for a patient who is dying. That is a misconception according to new research published in the latest issue of Palliative Medicine, from SAGE Publications.
Two articles in the peer-reviewed journal address research led by Professor Bassam Estfan of The Taussig Cancer Center in which patients in a specialist palliative care in-patient unit with severe cancer pain were treated with morphine, a type of opioid. Their vital statistics were monitored before and after the pain was controlled and there were no significant changes. Morphine did not cause respiratory depression, the mechanism by which lethal opioid overdose typically kills.
"Unlike many other drugs, morphine has a very wide safety margin," wrote Dr Rob George, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, from the University College London, in his commentary about the research. "Evidence over the last 20 years has repeatedly shown that, used correctly, morphine is well tolerated, does not cloud the mind, does not shorten life, and its sedating effects wear off quickly. This is obviously good for patients in pain."
"There is no evidence to suggest that morphine is a killer," Dr George continued. "It could be perceived that not to give it is an act of brutality. We urge those in the medical community to understand the facts about morphine and other opioids - it's time to set the record straight. Doctors should feel free to manage pain with doses adjusted to individual patients so that the patients can be comfortable and be able to live with dignity until they die."
The articles, "Respiratory function during parenteral opioid titration for cancer pain" and, "Commentary: Lethal Opioids or dangerous prescribers?," published by SAGE in the March issue of Palliative Medicine, are available at no charge for a limited time at http://pmj.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/81 and http://pmj.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/77
SAGE Publications
"Unlike many other drugs, morphine has a very wide safety margin," wrote Dr Rob George, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, from the University College London, in his commentary about the research. "Evidence over the last 20 years has repeatedly shown that, used correctly, morphine is well tolerated, does not cloud the mind, does not shorten life, and its sedating effects wear off quickly. This is obviously good for patients in pain."
"There is no evidence to suggest that morphine is a killer," Dr George continued. "It could be perceived that not to give it is an act of brutality. We urge those in the medical community to understand the facts about morphine and other opioids - it's time to set the record straight. Doctors should feel free to manage pain with doses adjusted to individual patients so that the patients can be comfortable and be able to live with dignity until they die."
The articles, "Respiratory function during parenteral opioid titration for cancer pain" and, "Commentary: Lethal Opioids or dangerous prescribers?," published by SAGE in the March issue of Palliative Medicine, are available at no charge for a limited time at http://pmj.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/81 and http://pmj.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/77
SAGE Publications
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Infant pain, adult repercussions
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Nanoparticle-based battlefield pain treatment moves step closer
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Researchers explore long-term adolescent vulnerability to drugs
As part of efforts to understand drug abuse, Georgia State University researchers are finding that adolescent rats appear to be less vulnerable to the long-term effects of withdrawal and relapse in certain types of drug use than rats that take the drugs in adulthood.
Researchers find genetic link between physical pain and social rejection
UCLA psychologists have determined for the first time that a gene linked with physical pain sensitivity is associated with social pain sensitivity as well.
Chinese acupuncture affects brain's ability to regulate pain, UM study shows
Acupuncture has been used in East-Asian medicine for thousands of years to treat pain, possibly by activating the body's natural painkillers. But how it works at the cellular level is largely unknown.
Fish may actually feel pain and react to it much like humans
Fish don't make noises or contort their faces to show that it hurts when hooks are pulled from their mouths, but a Purdue University researcher believes they feel that pain all the same.
Hebrew University researchers show how morphine can be given more effectively
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found a way to maintain the pain-killing qualities of morphine over an extended period of time, thus providing a solution for the problem of having to administer increasing dosages of the drug in order to retain its effectiveness.
Mayo Clinic study suggests those who have chronic pain may need to assess vitamin D status
Mayo Clinic research shows a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients who have chronic pain.
New guidelines for prescribing opioid pain drugs published
A prestigious panel of pain-management experts representing the American Pain Society (APS) www.ampainsoc.org and the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) has published the first comprehensive clinical practice guideline to assist clinicians in prescribing potent opioid pain medications for patients with chronic non-cancer pain.
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