morphine-6-glucuronide and Adenocarcinoma

The single-dose and steady state kinetics of morphine given as controlled-release tablets (30 mg every 12 h) and as a solution (15 mg every 6 h) have been compared in 11 cancer patients with chronic pain. The concentrations of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) were analyzed by HPLC. There were no significant differences between the tablets and solution in the mean steady state concentrations of morphine, M3G or M6G. The tmax was 3.3 h for the tablets compared to 1.1 h for the solution. After giving the controlled-release tablets every 12 h there was a significantly higher fluctuation index of the morphine concentrations than after the solution. Urinary recovery at steady state was comparable between the two preparations, with averages of 57% and 47%, respectively. Thus, no major differences were found in the pharmacokinetics of morphine and its glucuronidated metabolites after 30 mg morphine as controlled-release tablets every 12 h or 15 mg of morphine solution every 6 h, except for a significantly longer tmax and greater fluctuation in morphine concentrations after the controlled-release tablets.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Administration, Oral; Aged; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Delayed-Action Preparations; Female; Half-Life; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Morphine; Morphine Derivatives; Neoplasms; Solutions; Tablets

Morphine-6-glucuronide is an active metabolite of morphine that has analgesic properties and is measurable in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated with this opioid. Decreased clearance of the compound has been observed in patients with renal insufficiency, and this has been associated with an increase in the ratio of morphine-6-glucuronide to morphine. Clinical effects from accumulation of morphine-6-glucuronide have not been described with the exception of case reports in which patients with renal failure were noted to develop opioid toxicity with high plasma levels of the metabolite and low levels of the parent drug. We describe a patient who experienced chronic nausea and an episode of confusion while treated with a small, stable dose of oral morphine in the setting of mild renal insufficiency. Relatively high levels of morphine-6-glucuronide were measured and all symptoms resolved promptly as the concentration of this metabolite declined. This case provides suggestive evidence that morphine-6-glucuronide can produce clinically significant effects in patients with mild renal insufficiency.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Confusion; Female; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Middle Aged; Morphine; Morphine Derivatives; Nausea; Pain; Pancreatic Neoplasms