[Retard morphine in the long-term therapy of severe tumor pain]

35 patients with severe cancer pain received oral retard morphine. Pain reduction was achieved in each case; duration of effectiveness was between 8 and 12 hours. Mean daily dose was 230 mg morphine, but in individual cases the maximal daily dose had to be over 800 mg. The Karnofsky index of physical capacity was increased in all patients. The main side effect was constipation, which actually increased in the course of treatment. On the other hand, nausea and vomiting decreased after a few weeks. No dependence developed in any of the patients. This form of morphine medication thus was effective over long periods and it has become an important part in the range of strongly effective analgesics.