Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: RECENT FINDINGS: Studies conducted on respiratory function and opioids have proliferated in the past 10 years, but there is no recent review that groups the results together and evaluates their safe use in end-stage patients. SUMMARY: A bibliographic review found three randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled studies and five prospective studies, six of which showed that opioids significantly relieve dyspnea (P<0.001). The use of morphine for symptomatic relief does not significantly change the level of saturation of oxygen in the blood. In addition, the functional studies do not indicate that the use of opioids for dyspnea relief causes high CO2 levels in blood (P=0.05). The opioids used for treating dyspnea do not significantly compromise respiratory function; they are safe and effective.
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Authors | José Mario López-Saca, Carlos Centeno |
Journal | Current opinion in supportive and palliative care
(Curr Opin Support Palliat Care)
Vol. 8
Issue 4
Pg. 383-90
(Dec 2014)
ISSN: 1751-4266 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25319272
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Morphine
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Topics |
- Analgesics, Opioid
(therapeutic use)
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Dyspnea
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Morphine
(therapeutic use)
- Palliative Care
- Respiration
(drug effects)
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