SummaryComparative plasma concentrations of morphine in two children with chronic pain who received controlled‐release and regular morphine sulphate tablets are described. The controlled‐release tablets were given every 12 h and regular tablets every 4h. At steady‐state, the maximum morphine plasma concentration (Cmax) was 24·1 ng/ml at 45 mg and 18·7 ng/ml at 30 mg of controlled‐release morphine sulphate tablets. The Cmaxwas 17·6 ng/ml at 15 mg and 31·4 ng/ml at 20 mg dose of the regular tablets. The maximum concentration occurred at 2·0 and 2·5h after controlled‐release and 0·25 and 1·5 h after regular tablets. The minimum morphine plasma concentrations and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve normalized for dose were comparable for the controlled‐release and regular tablets. These data indicate that controlled‐release morphine sulphate may be well absorbed in relation to the regular tablets. If these results are confirmed in a large group of patients, the controlled‐release morphine sulphate tablets may offer a convenient (less frequent) dosing compared with regular tablets in children suffering from chron
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