Abstract
Objective: The relative analgesic potency of single doses of oral controlled-release oxycodone and oral controlled-release morphine were compared in a randomized, double-blind trial using a postoperative pain model.
Methods: Women (n = 169) with moderate to severe pain following abdominal hysterectomy received single oral doses of controlled-release oxycodone, 20 mg or 40 mg, or controlled-release morphine, 45 mg or 90 mg. Assessments were made at 30 min, 60 min, then hourly after dosing for 12 h or until remedication.
Results: The most precise estimates of relative potency showed that controlled-release oxycodone was 1.8 times more potent than controlled-release morphine for total effect (95% confidence limits 1.09–2.42; lambda 0.44) and 2.2 times more potent for peak effect (95% confidence limits 0.96–4.59; lambda 0.71). Controlled-release oxycodone at doses of 20 mg or 40 mg was comparable with controlled-release morphine at doses of 45 mg or 90 mg, respectively, for total and peak analgesic effects. For the two higher doses, time to peak relief was approximately 1 h shorter with controlled-release oxycodone than with controlled-release morphine. Most patients reported onset of analgesia within 1 h with all doses. Side effects were similar with the two opioids.
Conclusion: Oral controlled-release oxycodone was twice as potent as oral controlled-release morphine in this single-dose, relative potency assay. When converting patients from oral morphine to oral oxycodone, an initial oral oxycodone dose of one-half the oral morphine dose is recommended.
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Received: 10 August 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 9 March 1999
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Curtis, G., Johnson, G., Clark, P. et al. Relative potency of controlled-release oxycodone and controlled-release morphine in a postoperative pain model. E J Clin Pharmacol 55, 425–429 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050651
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050651