Morphine: What You Should Know

What you should know about morphine

 

Morphine belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid (narcotic) analgesics. Morphine is used to treat moderate-severe pain, usually after surgery or traumatic injury. It's works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. It is available in immediate action and extended release preparations for different delivery routes including liquid, tablets, inject-able, and continuous pump infusion. Maximum effect is reached after about 20 minutes when given intravenously and after 60 minutes when given by mouth, while duration of effect is 3–7 hours. Long-acting formulations also exist. Among the natural Opioids found within the poppy. Morphine was discovered as the first active alkaloid extracted from the opium poppy plant in December 1804 in Paderborn, Germany, by Friedrich Sertürner and is the most abundant and potent, making it a popular pain reliever since its discovery.

How Morphine works

Morphine mediates it's effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS) of the human brain and it works by binding to the Opioid receptors in the spine, brain, and other organs of the body sensitive to pain. This interaction blocks pain and floods the body with dopamine. Morphine is also a narcotic.

Common uses

Morphine can be prescribed in various ways. Commonly seen in hospitals as a solution to the pain felt during a medical surgery. While there are a variety of practical medical reasons to use Morphine, the calming, pleasure-inducing effects of Morphine have caused people to abuse the drug.
here are some of the come uses of Morphine; 

• Pain: Morphine is used primarily to treat both acute and chronic severe pain. 

• It is also used as an analgesia for pain due to myocardial infarction and for labor pains.

• it's helpful in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema.

• Morphine is used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia

• Shortness of breath: it's beneficial in reducing the symptom of shortness of breath due to both cancer and non cancer causes.

• It's also helpful in reducing Pain in lower back

Side effects of Morphine

Just like any other drugs morphine has its own side effects and some of the side effects includes;

• Constipation: 

• Watery eyes

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Runny nose

• Dizziness

• Cramps

• Loss of appetite

• Muscle aches

• Anxiety

• Restlessness

• Itching

• Sensitivity to pain

• Insomnia 

• Addiction

          

Prevention of some side effect

To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. Consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (such as a stimulant type with stool softener).

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations), severe stomach/abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, signs of your adrenal glands not working well (such as loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss).

Conclusion

Morphine helps to reduce pain during a medical surgery, and must be taken only when prescribed by a doctor, otherwise, the abuse of the drug is inevitable as it can lead to addiction because of it's pleasure-inducing effects of which when taking excessively can lead to coma or death. Before taking morphine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other opioid pain medications (such as codeine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Caution is also advised when used during pregnancy or breast feeding, as morphine may affect the baby.