MorphiDex (morphine sulfate/dextromethorphan hydrobromide combination) in the treatment of chronic pain: three multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials fail to demonstrate enhanced opioid analgesia or reduction in tolerance.

Abstract

While many pre-clinical and clinical studies have suggested that the addition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as dextromethorphan (DM), to opioid analgesics, such as morphine (MS), may enhance the analgesic effects and prevent the tolerance that may result from chronic opioid administration, others have not. The potential for reduced doses, enhanced opioid analgesia, and decreased analgesic tolerance associated with the MS/DM combination were evaluated in a series of three large, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, phase 3, multicenter trials each of 3 months duration in patients with chronic, non-malignant, non-neuropathic pain. To evaluate these unique endpoints, novel study designs were employed. In Study A, patients received fixed doses of MS or MS/DM, based on the stable dose of MS/DM attained during a Run-in period; changes from baseline in average daily pain intensity were compared. In Studies B and C, patients self-titrated doses of MS or MS/DM, based on stable doses of MS or other opioids attained during Run-in periods, to maintain pain relief; percentage changes from baseline in MS (or MS-equivalent) doses were compared. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups in any primary or secondary efficacy variables were demonstrated in any trial. These results suggest that adding the NMDA antagonist, dextromethorphan, to opioids does not add any clinical benefit.

• Authors: Bradley S Galer, David Lee, Tina Ma, Barbara Nagle, Thomas G Schlagheck
• Journal: Pain (Pain) Vol. 115 Issue 3 Pg. 284-295 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 0304-3959 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15911155 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Drug Combinations
• EN 3231
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
• Dextromethorphan
• Morphine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Chronic Disease
• Dextromethorphan (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Combinations
• Drug Tolerance
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Morphine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Treatment Outcome