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Testosterone Levels in People Taking Regular Low-Dose Sustained-Release Morphine for Persisting Breathlessness: An
Diana H Ferreira1, Magnus Ekström2, Belinda Fazekas3
1Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Palliative Medicine
|November 17, 2022
Summary
Regular low-dose sustained-release morphine did not significantly impact testosterone levels in patients with chronic breathlessness. Declines were uncommon and linked to worsening illness, not morphine dosage or breathlessness severity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Persistent breathlessness is a debilitating symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Sustained-release (SR) morphine is used for managing chronic breathlessness.
- The long-term effects of SR morphine on testosterone levels are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intermediate- and long-term effects of regular low-dose sustained-release (SR) morphine on testosterone levels in individuals with persistent breathlessness.
- To explore potential relationships between testosterone changes, morphine dosage, and breathlessness severity.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial involving SR morphine (0-24 mg/day) for persistent breathlessness in COPD.
- Total testosterone levels were measured at baseline and after at least three months of stable medication.
- Participant data included morphine dose, breathlessness status, and overall illness progression.
Main Results:
- Among 20 participants (9 males), only 3 showed substantial testosterone declines.
- These declines occurred in the 8, 16, and 24 mg SR morphine groups.
- No clear relationship was found between testosterone change, morphine dose, or breathlessness change.
Conclusions:
- Substantial declines in testosterone levels were uncommon in patients receiving SR morphine for breathlessness.
- Testosterone changes were not directly related to morphine dose or breathlessness severity.
- Worsening underlying illness may be a factor in testosterone decline during SR morphine treatment.
Keywords:
persistent breathlessnessplaceborandomized controlled trialsafetysustained-release morphinetestosteroneMore Related Videos
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