The need-to-know information about Morphine
MorphineSome pearls and fun nuggets
1. There is plenty of Morphine to go around π The primary source of morphine is isolation from poppy straw of the opium poppy.[13] In 2013, approximately 523 tons of morphine were produced.[14] Approximately 45 tons were used directly for pain, a four-fold increase over the last twenty years.[14]
2. Morphine can make you constipated π£ Like loperamide and other opioids, morphine acts on the myenteric plexus in the intestinal tract, reducing gut motility, causing constipation.
3. Once addicted, it’s tough to quit π Abusers of morphine (and heroin) have one of the highest relapse rates among all drug users, ranging up to 98% in the estimation of some medical experts.[50]
4. With enough of it, Morphine can kill you quick π±The minimum lethal dose of morphine sulfate is 120 mg,[52] but in case of hypersensitivity, 60 mg can bring sudden death. In serious drug dependency (high tolerance), 2000β3000 mg per day can be tolerated.[53]
5.There are TONS of ways to consume Morphine π Orally, sublingually, bucally, rectally, subcutaenously, intranasally, intravenously, intrathecally, epidurally, etc. You can even inhale it through a nebulizer. Recreationally, this is called “Chasing the dragon”
Patient Perspectives
Β “Was on tramadol, diazepam, paracetamol and diclofenac for 10 weeks after a prolapsed disc and sciatica. Put on morphine last Friday and has taken most of the pain, which is allowing me to feel happier in myself.”
Β
“This medication tends to work better for my pain. Cut tip of finger off in a lawnmower accident (cleaning the blades with garden hose and got too close obviously). They sewed my finger back on; but having lots of bone and joint (knuckle) pain. Norco did not help as well as Morphine has. I only take this medication when I can no longer tolerate severity of pain so that I can actually get some much needed rest. Morphine works well for my personal ordeal.”
Β
“It helps a little for pain but now I have no sex drive, constipation all the time. When I took Vicodin 10 I did not have this problem. “
References
- Why every medic should love Deployed Medicine - November 8, 2020
- 3 Areas Where Medics Fall Short - November 7, 2020