Experience with oral morphine for cancer pain relief

The authors report a prospective survey of 88 patients with cancer pain who were treated with oral morphine solution during a period of 140 days at the Pain Relief Unit, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore. A high percentage of pain relief was achieved at the end of the first week of titrated therapy; relief was maintained at satisfactory levels throughout the study period in a majority of patients (86%). Interruption of oral morphine administration was necessitated by intractable vomiting in two patients. The majority of patients (65%) did not manifest any side effects, and appropriate medication successfully managed those who did. Oral morphine therapy for cancer pain offers effective pain relief with minimal side effects in the majority of patients.