Morphine

Morphine is one of the most powerful and addictive narcotic painkillers:

• Pharmacological class as narcotic analgesic (narcotic pain-reliever).
• From naturally occurring phenanthrene alkaloids of opium, derived from the opium poppy.
• Original prototype of most narcotic drugs.
• Highly addictive, comparable to heroin.
• Higher incidence of pharmacological effects and dependence than other narcotics (opioids) at equianalgesic doses.
• Indicated to treat moderate to severe pain.
• Produces analgesia by acting upon various brain sectors and the spinal cord.
• Not indicated to treat pain just after surgery, unless already taken before.
• Typically not prescribed unless the patient has already been treated with a similar opioid pain medicine to which the body has become tolerant.
• Pain relief onset occurs within 5 to 20 minutes after administration.
• Pain relief peaks at one hour, and may last up until four hours.
• Available in injection, capsules, extended-release capsules, oral solution, syrup, tablets, and extended-release tablets (US).
• Categorized as: analgesic; anesthesia adjunct, opioid analgesic; antidiarrheal; antitussive; and, pulmonary edema therapy adjunct.
• Exerts pharmacological effects upon the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
• Increases pain tolerance, and decreases suffering perception.
• Dangerous, potentially fatal side effects can occur when combined with alcohol.
• Use with other drugs that act upon the central nervous system greatly increases the chance of respiratory depression and failure.
• Alters one’s mood from euphoria (pleasant) to dysphoria (unpleasant).
• Depresses cough reflex and respiratory centers.
• Do not take Morphine during an asthma attack or if you have obstructed bowels.
• More viable effects upon the aged show greater reactions than in young patients.
• White, crystalline powder, more soluble in water than any other opioid in clinical use.
• Histamine release may cause wheal swellings , hives, flushing, sweating, scratch reflex, and blood vessel dilation.
• May produce ‘head rush’ leading to loss of consciousness (or, orthostatic hypotension to syncope).
• Initial adult oral dose (short-acting) for severe and enduring (chronic) pain at 10 to 30 mg every four hours, under doctor’s supervision.
• Initial adult injection (intramuscular or subcutaneous) dose at 5 to 20 mg (usually 10 mg).
• Regulated under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA 21 U.S.C. 801-886) as a Schedule II narcotic; and, internationally under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as a Schedule I narcotic.
• Because Morphine can be extremely habit forming, it must be administered only under physician's care, and according to directives.
• Rapid tolerance to analgesic effects requires higher doses for same relief, thus creating the potential to cause moderate to high physical or psychological dependence.
• Use with sedatives or alcoholic beverages increases risk of adverse side effects, dizziness, unconsciousness, respiratory collapse, and fatality.
• High chronic dosage, more than prescribed, can lead to dependency or addiction.
• Of the 6.4 million Americans misusing prescription drugs, more than 73% misused prescription pain relievers (2006, National Household Survey).