effect of low dose, extended-release morphine on chronic breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Last edited 11/2022 and last reviewed 02/2023

• randomized 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 range 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 (1)
  • 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:

• Ekstrom M, Ferreira D, Chang S, et al. Effect of Regular, Low-Dose, Extended-release Morphine on Chronic Breathlessness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The BEAMS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022;328(20):2022-2032. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.20206