Morphine – what is it for and how to use it!

Morphine is an analgesic drug of the opioid class, which has a potent effect in the treatment of very intense chronic or acute pain . Such as post-surgical pain, pain  caused by burns or serious diseases such as cancer and advanced osteoarthritis, for example.

This medication can be purchased in conventional pharmacies in the form of tablets, oral or injectable solution, under the trade name of Dimorf, MS Long or MST continus, for example, however, a special prescription is required, since its misuse for bringing risks to the patient’s health, such as fainting or coma , in addition to being addictive.

Upon hearing this word, people immediately associate it with the illicit drug. They do not remember that the substance is a potent analgesic, responsible for the relief of thousands of people whose bodies no longer respond to other medications. This does not mean, of course, that it is harmless.

Morphine is most commonly used as a means of providing pain relief. However, the side effects of morphine vary somewhat and while some of the adverse effects seen with initial therapy are short term, others may be long term, especially when the drug is used over longer durations of time.

How Morphine Works in the Body:

Opioids are agonists generally received by neurons in some areas of the brain, spinal cord, intestinal system, neural and spinal cord. These receptors are important in the natural regulation of pain  and the sensation of pain  in the body. Endogenous opioids like endorphin and enkephalin are the neurotransmitters.

Which act with opiate substances as in the case of morphine . Some of these receptors have analgesic properties such as the so-called ‘Mu’, in addition to the K and Delta receptors. Each receiver is slightly similar to the other, even if each acts in a different area.

Morphine side effects:

The main side effects of morphine include dizziness, euphoria, tiredness, headache  , insomnia, vertigo, nausea, excessive sweating, restlessness, dry mouth, decreased appetite, constipation , cramps, decreased heart rate, fainting, difficulty sleeping. urinating, reduced libido, difficulty breathing or respiratory arrest.

In addition, the use of a high dose of this medication may cause drowsiness and difficulty breathing. What should be treated in the emergency with intensive medical care and the specific antidote, called Naloxone. Check out the main dangers of using medicines without medical indication.

Who Should Not Use Morphine:

Morphine is contraindicated in patients with conditions such as severe breathing difficulties, central nervous system depression, secondary heart failure, bronchial asthma attacks, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic lung disease, brain injuries, brain tumor, chronic alcoholism, tremors, gastrointestinal obstruction. and paralytic ileus, diseases that cause convulsions or that have morphine hypersensitivity .

Morphine How to Use:

The dose should be individualized by the physician according to the severity of the pain , taking into account the patient’s age, weight and previous pharmacological treatment.

Dosage:  05 to 30 mg every 4 hours or according to medical advice. The maximum recommended daily dose depends on the patient’s clinical status and drug tolerance. For most patients, this dose is around 180 mg/day. In addition, the upward adjustment of this dose depends on a careful medical evaluation.

Unrecommended doses may lead to adverse events. In addition, for pain in terminal patients, a dosage schedule should be set up every 4 hours until the desired level of analgesia is found. If the patient is receiving other narcotic analgesics, balance the doses to achieve the required analgesia.