Morphine

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See Morphine (band) for the rock band.

Image:Morphine.png
Morphine

7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-
17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diol
CAS number
57-27-2 (anhydrous) 		ATC code
N02AA01
Chemical formula C17H19NO3
SMILES CN1CCC23C4C1CC5=C2C(=C(C=C5)O)OC3C(C=C4)O
Molecular weight 285.4
Bioavailability ~30%?
Metabolism renal 90%, biliary 10%
Elimination half-life 2-3 hours
Excretion renal
Pregnancy category Category C (Australia)
Legal status Schedule 8 (Australia),
Class A (UK),
DEA C-II (USA),
Schedule I (Canada)
Routes of administration oral, SC, IM, IV

Morphine (INN), the principal active agent in opium, is a powerful opioid analgesic drug. Like other opiates, morphine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and at synapses of the arcuate nucleus, in particular. Side effects include impairment of mental performance, euphoria, drowsiness, lethargy, and blurred vision. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex, and produces constipation. Morphine is usually highly addictive, and tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Patients on morphine often report insomnia and nightmares.

Contents

Medical use

Administration

Morphine may be given parenterally as subcutaneous, intravenous, or epidural injections. The military sometimes issues morphine loaded in an autoinjector. Morphine can also be administered through a slow-release transdermal patch.

Orally, it comes as an elixir, concentrated solution, powder (for compounding) or in tablet form. Morphine is rarely in suppository form. Due to its poor oral bioavailability, oral morphine is only one-sixth to one-third of the potency of parenteral morphine. Morphine is available in extended-release capsules for chronic administration, as well as immediate-release forumations.

Uses

Morphine is used legally —

  • in the relief of acute, severe pain
    • pain after surgery
    • pain associated with trauma
  • in the relief of moderate to severe chronic pain
    • cancer pain
    • tooth extraction
  • as an adjunct to general anesthesia
  • in epidural anesthesia
  • for palliative care (i.e. to alleviate pain without curing the underlying reason for it)
  • as an antitussive for severe cough
  • as an antidiarrheal in chronic conditions (e.g., for diarrhea associated with AIDS)

Contraindications

Legal classification

In the United Kingdom, morphine is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

In the United States, morphine is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

Internationally, morphine is a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs[1].

History

Morphine was first isolated in 1803 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Serturner, who named it 'morphium' after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. But it was not until the development of the hypodermic needle (1853) that its use spread. It was used for pain relief and, ironically, as a 'cure' for opium or alcohol addiction. Its extensive use during the American Civil War resulted in over 400,000 sufferers from the "soldiers disease" (addiction).

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) was derived from morphine in 1874. Along with other drugs, its possession without a prescription was criminalised in the US by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914.

External links


Analgesics edit

{Paracetamol (acetaminophen) } {Tetrahydrocannabinol} {Cannabinoids} {Ketamine}

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