Effect of low dose, extended-release morphine on chronic breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The BEAMS (Breathlessness Exertion and Morphine Sulphate) study (1):
- randomised clinical trial including 156 people with COPD and chronic breathlessness
- treatment with 8 mg/d and 16 mg/d of oral extended-release morphine for 1 week resulted in a mean difference of -0.3 and -0.3, respectively, for change in the intensity of worst breathlessness compared with placebo; neither difference was statistically significant
- scores ranged from 0 to 10 (a score of 10 being the worst or most intense) on the numerical rating scale that was used
- concludes:
- extended-release morphine compared with placebo did not significantly reduce the intensity of worst breathlessness in people with COPD
- among people with COPD and severe chronic breathlessness, daily low-dose, extended-release morphine did not significantly reduce the intensity of worst breathlessness after 1 week of treatment
Reference:
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