Vayne-Bossert, P., Escher, M., de Vautibault, C., Dulguerov, P., Allal, A., Desmeules, J., . . . Pautex, S. (2010). Effect of topical morphine (mouthwash) on oral pain due to chemotherapy- and/or radiotherapy-induced mucositis: A randomized double-blinded study. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13(2), 125–128.
To determine if a mouthwash containing morphine decreases oral pain associated with chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced mucositis
Subjects were randomized to two groups. One used 2% morphine solution. The other used a placebo, a quinine solution. Both groups used the specified solution six times daily, holding the solution in the mouth for 2 minutes at each application. After three days patients crossed over to the alternate treatment. Patients kept daily diaries and rated oral pain before and one hour after the mouthwash. The study lasted six days.
Phase of care: active treatment
Randomized double-blind crossover study
The study used a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), to rate pain.
ANOVA suggested a difference over time between placebo and morphine, but authors noted no significant differences in pain between mouthwashes on the same or different days. Not all patients adhered to prescribed frequency of use. Authors noted no adverse events.
Study results did not support the use of morphine mouthwash as a treatment for the pain of oral mucositis.
This study was too small to demonstrate the effects of a morphine-containing mouthwash on mucositis-associated oral pain.