Controlled-release morphine (MST Contin) in advanced cancer. The European experience. 1989

G W Hanks
Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

The published data relating to the clinical evaluation and use in Europe of oral controlled-release morphine tablets (MST Continus, [MST] Napp Laboratories, United Kingdom) in the treatment of chronic cancer pain are reviewed. There are three evaluable published reports of double-blind randomized controlled studies and a number of prospective open studies and retrospective reviews. There are also several published pharmacokinetic studies and substantial accumulated clinical experience with MST since its introduction in the United Kingdom in 1981. A critical review of the evidence indicates that MST is effective in patients with opioid-responsive pain; that for almost all patients twice-daily administration is sufficient; that the potency ratio compared with standard (immediate-release) oral morphine formulations is one to one; and that the side effect profile is similar. An immediate-release morphine preparation is preferable during the dose titration period when frequent dose adjustment may be required. However, once patients have been stabilized MST is much more convenient and simpler to use than conventional morphine elixirs or tablets and is the preferred formulation for maintenance treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009020 Morphine The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D010146 Pain An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS. Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D011897 Random Allocation A process involving chance used in therapeutic trials or other research endeavor for allocating experimental subjects, human or animal, between treatment and control groups, or among treatment groups. It may also apply to experiments on inanimate objects. Randomization,Allocation, Random
D002908 Chronic Disease Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2). Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D003692 Delayed-Action Preparations Dosage forms of a drug that act over a period of time by controlled-release processes or technology. Controlled Release Formulation,Controlled-Release Formulation,Controlled-Release Preparation,Delayed-Action Preparation,Depot Preparation,Depot Preparations,Extended Release Formulation,Extended Release Preparation,Prolonged-Action Preparation,Prolonged-Action Preparations,Sustained Release Formulation,Sustained-Release Preparation,Sustained-Release Preparations,Timed-Release Preparation,Timed-Release Preparations,Controlled-Release Formulations,Controlled-Release Preparations,Extended Release Formulations,Extended Release Preparations,Slow Release Formulation,Sustained Release Formulations,Controlled Release Formulations,Controlled Release Preparation,Controlled Release Preparations,Delayed Action Preparation,Delayed Action Preparations,Formulation, Controlled Release,Formulations, Controlled Release,Prolonged Action Preparation,Release Formulation, Controlled,Release Formulations, Controlled,Sustained Release Preparation,Timed Release Preparation,Timed Release Preparations
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

G W Hanks
January 1987, Journal of pain and symptom management,
G W Hanks
November 1995, The Medical journal of Australia,
G W Hanks
August 1995, The Medical journal of Australia,
Copied contents to your clipboard!