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Subcutaneous self-administration of morphine with a "pain pen", a semiautomatic mechanical injection system about the size of a penholder, was tested in nine patients with severe chronic pain of malignant origin. During a period of treatment of 12-100 days (on an outpatient basis in three patients) side-effects of subcutaneous morphine could only be observed during a short-lasting initial period of adaptation. ⋯ There were no hygienic problems, and the patients learned the technique of self-injection within a few days. This system may be especially suitable for patients with gastrointestinal incompatibility of oral opiate preparations, e.g. patients with multiple drug intake.