1991 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 33-39
Pain is one of the most serious problems faced by end-stage cancer patients. In order to control this pain, we have administered several medications in our clinic. In this paper, we evaluate the oral administration of morphine.
For the last 12 years, among the 53 patients who have died of oral cancer in our department, 37 (70%) suffered from severe cancer pain. 9 patients were injected with opioid agonist and/or opioid agonist-antagonist. Opioid agonist was administered orally as codeine to 6 patients, and as morphine to 22 patients. The administration was carried out at timed intervals.
The oral administration of morphine was found to be 100% effective in 10 cases (45.5%), fairly effective in 4, slightly effective in 4 and ineffective in the other 4 cases. The incomplete understanding of morphine's use is thought to be the main reason behind the unrelieved pain. In other words, delay in administering morphine, failure to administer the optimal dose, wrong intervals and inadequate management of side effects seem to be the direct factors relating to the lack of effectiveness.
In conclusion, morphine administered orally is an adequate analgesic if it is used correctly and according to the WHO cancer pain relief program.
