The morphine group uses the mouthwash of 2% morphine solution (20 mg morphine sulfate diluted in 100 mL of water), 10 mL every three hours; six times a day. The morphine solution is prepared by the faculty of pharmacy under supervision of the Food and Drug Organization of the local Medical University.

The magic group uses a mouthwash contained a mixture of 240 mL magnesium aluminum hydroxide (Alborz Co., Iran), 25 mL 2% viscous lidocaine (SinaDaru Co., Iran), and 60 mL diphenhydramine (Emad Co., Iran), 10 mL every three hours; six times a day.

Patients are visited by a radiation oncologist at baseline, 3rd day, and 6th day of the intervention. The WHO grading system of mucositis is administered for each patient in which, 0 indicates a healed mucositis and no signs or symptoms, 1 indicates mild soreness but not problem in eating, 2 indicates painful erythema, edema, or ulcers but able to eat, 3 indicates severe painful erythema, edema, or ulcers and having problem in eating, and 4 indicates if there is a requirement for parenteral or enteral support.

Patients also are asked about if pain/discomfort relived by mouthwash and if so for how long (< 1 h, 1 to 2 h, > 2 h). Their satisfaction with treatment is graded as satisfied, tolerable, and intolerable.