What morphine dose regimen is recommended?
• If not taking an opioid: start oral morphine 2 mg or 2.5 mg. Most people can take this dose every 4 hours and as required, although people with breathlessness may not need as frequent dosing (e.g. just as required 30 minutes before exercise for dyspnoea on exertion). • If taking a weak opioid (e.g. codeine): only continue the weak opioid if appropriate. Start oral morphine 2.5 mg to 10 mg every 4 hours and as required (or just as required 30 minutes before exercise for dyspnoea on exertion). • If taking regular analgesic morphine: increase regular morphine dose by around 30% every 2–3 days until symptoms controlled or adverse effects prevent further dose increases. • Reassess every 2 days and increase the dose until dyspnoea is controlled without adverse effects and the dose is stable. If regular morphine is needed throughout the day, convert to a modified-release preparation. If only one or two doses are needed each day, continue as-required doses of standard-release morphine. • If
