Bruera, E., Sala, R., Spruyt, O., Palmer, J. L., Zhang, T., & Willey, J. (2005). Nebulized versus subcutaneous morphine for patients with cancer dyspnea: a preliminary study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 29, 613–618.
To compare subcutaneous (SC) injection versus nebulized morphine (median dose of 45 mg, equal to half of the scheduled equivalent opioid dose) on two separate days; because nebulized morphine is thought to have rapid onset of action and low systemic absorption, adverse effects may be avoided.
The study used a double-blind, randomized crossover trial design.
Significant improvement occurred in dyspnea scores from baseline to 60 minutes measured at 15-minute intervals for both SC (dyspnea score decreased from 5 to 3; p = 0.025) and nebulized morphine (dyspnea score decreased from 4 to 2; p = 0.007). No significant difference was found between SC and nebulized morphine for each time period. Bronchospasm was not observed in the nebulized treatment group.
Both routes were effective in this sample. The number of patients was insufficient to determine a difference between the routes.