A Five Stage, National, Multi-Site, Double-Blind, Parallel Arm, Block Randomised, Placebo Controlled Factorial (Dose Increment) Phase Iii Study Of Opioids For Chronic Refractory Breathlessness In People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd)

Abstract

More than 300000 Australians are chronically short of breath at rest or on minimal exertion despite optimal treatment of the underlying causes of their breathlessness, of whom 70000 cannot leave home. No medication in the world is registered to treat this. There is evidence that regular, low dose morphine safely helps breathlessness. This study will help clinicians adjust doses more effectively and understand whether using an additional medication to reduce anxiety helps relieve breathlessness.