Comparison of morphine slow release tablet (MST) and morphine sulphate solution (MSS) in the treatment of cancer pain.

A cross-over, single blind trial of MST and MSS in relieving pain of advanced cancer patients is described. Forty-nine cases completed the study. Both MST and MSS gave equally excellent pain relief in the patients as judged by the pain score of VAS and pain rating scale by a nurse, and the duration of sleep. The daily effective dose was 55.5 +/- 19.7 mg for MST and 61.0 +/- 11.0 mg of MSS.