Respiratory depression is the opioid adverse effect feared most by physicians. This may hinder adequate dosing in cancer pain. The study was conducted to examine the respiratory function of patients with advanced cancer receiving significant doses (>100 mg/24 h) of oral morphine.
The Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. walsht@ccf.org
