The Use of Self-Mixed Morphine Gel 0.125% for Topical Pain Control in Painful Cancer Lesions.

CONTEXT: Pain control for localized cancer lesions remains challenging, with systemic opioids often providing inadequate relief with significant side effects. Compounded morphine gel has shown efficacy, but its high-cost limits use.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of a patient-mixed 0.125% morphine gel recipe, providing patients with an accessible, affordable option for improved pain control.

METHODS

This study recruited 13 cancer patients with painful cutaneous lesions, instructing them to mix 100 mg of liquid morphine in 80 g of hydrogel to produce a 0.125% morphine gel and apply it directly to the painful area. Likert scales assessed ease of mixing and satisfaction, while the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale assessed pain scores. The total oral morphine equivalent per day (OMED) was compared before and after gel use.

RESULTS

Briefly, 91% of participants found the gel easy to mix and helpful for pain control, with pain scores decreasing by 61.8%. OMED was also significantly reduced (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

This small study suggests that self-mixed 0.125% morphine gel is a safe, effective, and affordable option to control pain in cancer lesions. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.