[Long-term therapy of tumor pain using morphine-retard tablets]

We analysed the effect of sustained-release morphine tablets in 174 patients with severe cancer pain. A good relief of pain could be obtained in 65% of the patients within the first week and in 80% of the patients at the end of therapy. The mean daily dose was at 178 mg morphine, six patients needed more than 1000 mg per day. The sustained-release morphine was given at fixed intervals, in 80% of the cases every eight hours. No severe side-effects were associated with long-term morphine therapy. We often saw nausea and vomiting, constipation and drowsiness, but these side-effects decreased after the first weeks of treatment. Only in ten patients we had to stop therapy because of side-effects. Morphine can be used successfully in the treatment of cancer pain for long periods without concern about tolerance.