TerminatedPhase 3

Morphine in Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Stopped: Difficulties with recruitment

United Kingdom6 participantsStarted 2016-05-20

Plain-language summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of morphine (a drug commonly used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, particularly following surgery) on the number of pauses in breathing in patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Morphine has been shown to reduce upper airway muscle tone and can also cause shallow breathing, which can affect breathing function in patients with sleep apnoea. However, to date these effects have not been proven in clinical trials. Although, caution is advised when prescribing morphine to patients with sleep apnoea, there is currently no strong evidence that morphine makes sleep apnoea worse. Only one randomised controlled trial (considered the gold standard in medical research) has shown no worsening of symptoms for patients with sleep apnoea. The effect of morphine on patients with sleep apnoea will be assessed in a safe, controlled, hospital environment. Information from the study will help inform doctors about the safety of giving morphine to patients with sleep apnoea in urgent situations, for example after surgery. The results of this study will enable clinicians to make better decisions when prescribing this drug to patients with OSA in the future.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Age ≥ 18 years
. Patients with diagnosis of moderate or severeOSA at screening, diagnosed by nocturnal oximetry, rPSG or PSG (defined as AHI or ODI of 15-50 events/hour) established on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
. Patients established on CPAP with confirmed moderate OSA (AHI 15-29 events/hr) 6 nights after withdrawal of CPAP (confirmed at baseline rPSG)
. Patients diagnosed with moderate OSA by rPSG or PSG, naïve to CPAP treatment

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Apnoea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)

Timeframe: Change in AHI from baseline Respiratory Polygraphy (rPSG) through to completion of study at overnight visit, within 4 months of baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03127800

SponsorPapworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2017-11-04

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Obstructive Sleep Apnoea trials