Table 11.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) protocol with morphine.

PCA protocol	Aim	Recommended starting dose (morphine)
Loading dose	Get immediate pain control	0.05-0.1 mg/kg (max 10 mg)
Basal dose	Maintain pain control	0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h
Intermittent dose (dose PCA)	Pain control by the patient himself	0.01-0.02 mg/kg
Interval (lockout) 6-15 minutes depending on the device	Prevent overdose
Limit dose in 4 hours	Prevent overdose	0.25-0.35 mg/kg