Table 5

Adverse events reported by at least 5% of patients in any group during the IR or SR phase


IR phase
SR phase

Adverse event
Hydromorphone (N = 99)
Morphine (N = 101)
OROS® hydromorphone (N = 77)
CR morphine (N = 86)

Constipation
23 (23.2%)
11 (10.9%)
30 (39.0%)
19 (22.1%)

Nausea
18 (18.2%)
23 (22.8%)
15 (19.5%)
25 (29.1%)

Vomiting
16 (16.2%)
19 (18.8%)
7 (9.1%)
19 (22.1%)

Somnolence
11 (11.1%)
11 (10.9%)
8 (10.4%)
12 (14.0%)

Dizziness
8 (8.1%)
6 (5.9%)
4 (5.2%)
8 (9.3%)

Headache
8 (8.1%)
6 (5.9%)
3 (3.9%)
2 (2.3%)

Diarrhea
8 (8.1%)
1 (1.0%)
7 (9.1%)
2 (2.3%)

Pruritus
4 (4.0%)
5 (5.0%)
3 (3.9%)
5 (5.8%)

Asthenia
5 (5.1%)
1 (1.0%)
6 (7.8%)
4 (4.7%)

Fatigue
3 (3.0%)
3 (3.0%)
4 (5.2%)
6 (7.0%)

Confusion
2 (2.0%)
2 (2.0%)
7 (9.1%)
2 (2.3%)

Anemia
2 (2.0%)
1 (1.0%)
3 (3.9%)
6 (7.0%)

Anorexia
1 (1.0%)
4 (4.0%)
2 (2.6%)
5 (5.8%)

Insomnia
1 (1.0%)
2 (2.0%)
5 (6.5%)
4 (4.7%)

Peripheral edema
0
3 (3.0%)
1 (1.3%)
8 (9.3%)

Pyrexia
2 (2.0%)
1 (1.0%)
4 (5.2%)
2 (2.3%)

Anxiety
1 (1.0%)
1 (1.0%)
5 (6.5%)
1 (1.2%)

Abbreviations: CR, controlled-release; IR, immediate-release; SR, sustained-release

Hanna et al. BMC Palliative Care 2008 7:17   doi:10.1186/1472-684X-7-17