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Pain Relievers, Medical & Psychological Drugs

Morphine is given for the relief of moderate to severe pain. It can be given in tablet form, or injection, or intravenous infusion, depending on the severity of pain and the duration of administration necessary. Morphine provides analgesia and sedation.

The precise method of analgesic action of morphine is unknown, but central nervous system opiate receptors have been found throughout the brain and spinal cord, and are likely to play a role in the analgesic effects of morphine. Once absorbed, morphine is distributed to skeletal muscle, kidney, liver intestinal tract, lungs, spleen, and brain. Virtually all of the dose is converted to glucuronide metabolites. Approximately 50 percent of the dose which will reach the central compartment intact will do so within 30 minutes. Elimination of morphine is primarily by renal excretion of 3-morphine glucuronide.

Morphine produces respiratory depression by direct interaction with brain stem respiratory centers, where it causes a decreased responsiveness to increased carbon dioxide levels. It depresses the cough reflex by direct action on the medulla.

Morphine causes miosis, even in total darkness. Gastric, biliary, and pancreatic secretions are depressed by morphine, and there is a decrease in gastrointestinal motility. Digestion of food in the small intestine is delayed, and propulsive contractions are reduced. All these gastrointestinal effects can lead to constipation. In the cardiovascular system, morphine produces vasodilation, which may result in orthostatic hypotension.

Morphine should not be taken with other central nervous system depressants because of synergistic reactions. Since morphine has severe central nervous system depressant action, it is important that it is taken as prescribed and that the patient and family are educated as to the risks of taking the medication and its possible side effects. Morphine is also an addictive drug, and caution must be...

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Pain Relievers, Medical & Psychological Drugs. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 04:33, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693944.html