Constant morphine infusion for severe sickle cell crisis pain

The use of a constant infusion of intravenous morphine sulfate in a patient with severe sickle cell crisis is described. After several days of poor control with intramuscular and intravenous narcotic injections, adequate analgesia was obtained with the infusion of morphine within two hours of initiation of therapy. No adverse effects were noted. With the advantages provided by an intravenous narcotic infusion, this protocol should be considered as a suitable alternative to conventional methods for providing pain control in patients in sickle cell crisis.