[Use of strongly acting sustained-release opioids in pediatrics : Pitfalls and solutions for morphine and hydromorphone].

Background: In pediatrics, adequate treatment with potent opioids requires the administration of sustained-release preparations for many patients; however, the dosing and administration of sustained-release morphine and hydromorphone preparations via gastrointestinal tubes confronts providers with a major hurdle, especially as the company Mundipharma GmbH has discontinued the production and distribution of the preparation MST retard granules in 2019, which has been proven for these purposes in pediatrics. The aim of this study was to establish a production technique for available sustained-release opioid preparations, which are particularly suitable for use in the low-dose range required in pediatrics and which can also be administered via gastrointestinal tubes.

Method: Low-dose preparations were produced by opening of morphine and hydromorphone capsules and weighing of the sustained-release pellets.