In this study, opioids worked significantly better than oxygen in reducing the intensity of dyspnoea even in hypoxic patients. There was no correlation between intensity of dyspnoea and oxygen saturation in H and NH patients. Oxygen should be seen as a pharmacological agent and not be given based on intuitive assumption of benefit.

Patients with OXN treatment throughout the whole study phase showed a clinically relevant improvement in pain intensity and bowel function as well as increased satisfaction. Well-known disadvantages of laxative treatment might be spared or even circumvented under OXN treatment, if appropriate.

No higher risk of respiratory depression and increase in tcpaCO2 in opioid-naïve palliative care patients, compared to patients pretreated with strong opioids, during symptomatic therapy of dyspnea with strong opioids could be found.