[Morphine-antiemetics mixtures for continuous subcutaneous infusion in terminal cancer]

Simultaneous pain, nausea and vomiting are not uncommon in terminal suffering requiring treatment with various compounds of analgesics and antiemetics. At Baerum Hospital the pump reservoirs for continuous, subcutaneous drug delivery are routinely filled by the hospital pharmacist. We examined the physico-chemical stability of various concentrations of mixtures of morphine-metoclopramide and morphine-metoclopramide-haloperidol at 25 degrees C. We found good stability for at least seven days. Addition of haloperidol seems to reduce stability. Plain morphine-haloperidol solutions are unstable. Split products were not found in any of the mixtures. We also examined the osmolality of current clinical compounds, focusing on local irritant effect at the infusion site. All solutions except for one with a high concentration of haloperidol were found to be close to isoosmolarl.