Johnson MJ, Cockayne S, Currow DC, et al. - In this parallel group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, researchers compared morphine therapy (20 mg daily oral modified release morphine) vs placebo in terms of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for relieving chronic breathlessness in individuals with chronic heart failure. This inquiry was undertaken at 13 sites in England and Scotland. An adjusted mean difference of 0.26 was reported in favor of placebo, for the primary analysis among 45 participants. Both groups showed improvement in all other breathlessness measures, but more improvement was seen in those treated with morphine. A decline in natriuretic peptide measures was noted in both groups, but it was greater in the morphine group. The morphine group more commonly suffered treatment-emergent harms during the first week; except for one, all were ≤ grade 2. Because of inadequate power, the primary objectives could not be answered. Only when no assistance can be obtained from other measures is it recommended that morphine be used in this population, and with early management of side effects.