Opioids for breathlessness in people with mesothelioma or asbestosis or other causes of interstitial lung disease.

This study aims to determine whether morphine reduces the feeling of breathlessness in patients with mesothelioma, asbestosis or interstitial lung disease. Who is it for? you can join this study if you are 18 years or more, and suffer from a feeling of breathlessness (dyspnoea) as a result of maximally treated mesothelioma, asbestosis, or interstitial lung disease. You must be able to speak English and should not be taking regular opioid medication (painkillers). Trial details Participants in this trial will be randomly (by chance) assigned to receive either 20mg sustained-release morphine (by oral capsule) together with a laxitive Coloxyl and Senna, or placebo (sham) tablets for one week. They will receive no medication for the second week and will then receive the alternate treatment ( morphine or placebo) for the third week. Participants will not know when they are taking the active drug or placebo. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and keep a diary over the 3 weeks of the trial to determine their response to treatment. They will also be phoned and visited at home by a nurse to monitor any side effects of treatment.