Morphine - side effects

Morphine is a powerful painkiller that can change lives - both positively and negatively. It is prescribed when pain is so intense that other medications are simply no longer sufficient. After major surgery, severe injuries or chronic pain, as is often the case with cancer, morphine can bring enormous relief. However, as with any strong medication, there is a downside: Side effects.

Many people who take morphine ask themselves: "What is actually happening in my body?" And above all: "How can I deal with the side effects?" Nausea, dizziness or constipation are just some of the problems that frequently occur. In severe cases, even dangerous side effects such as breathing problems or addiction can occur.

In this blog, we take a closer look at how morphine works in the body, what side effects you can expect and when caution is advised. You will also receive helpful tips on how to reduce side effects and handle morphine safely. After all, being well informed gives you and your loved ones a degree of security when dealing with this medication. You can also find out more about important topics on our Homepage .

How does morphine work in the body?

To understand why morphine can have such strong side effects, it helps to take a look at how it actually works. Morphine belongs to the group of opioids and affects the central nervous system. It binds to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord - the so-called opioid receptors. There it blocks the transmission of pain signals. The effect? Pain is noticeably alleviated or even disappears completely.

But morphine is not picky when it comes to its effects. While it reduces pain, it also affects other processes in the body. It slows breathing, slows the heart rate and can make the bowels sluggish. The feeling of drowsiness or a slightly euphoric mood are also among the known effects.

This "all-round effects" is both a curse and a blessing: on the one hand, it makes morphine an indispensable medication for severe pain. On the other hand, it is the reason for many undesirable side effects that often bother patients. You can find more information about morphine in our Lexikon and on the page "What is morphine?" .

Common side effects of morphine

Morphine may be a true miracle cure for pain, but it comes with a number of side effects that many sufferers experience. The good news is that most of these side effects are known and can be alleviated in many cases. Here are the most common problems that can occur when taking morphine:

• Nausea and vomiting
  At the beginning of treatment in particular, many patients complain of a queasy feeling in their stomach. This is because morphine stimulates the vomiting centre in the brain. Fortunately, the body often gets used to it after a few days and the nausea subsides. Anti-nausea medication can help here.

• Verstopfung
  A tiresome topic that many sufferers are familiar with: Morphine slows down bowel movements and often leads to severe constipation. Unlike other side effects, there is no habituation here - constipation remains a constant issue.

• Dizziness and drowsiness
  Morphine has a calming effects effect on the nervous system, which can be pleasant, but can also make you feel tired, dizzy or mentally "foggy". Caution is advised at the beginning of treatment or when increasing the dose, especially during activities such as driving.

• Müdigkeit
  Many patients feel drowsy and less able to perform due to morphine. This side effect is often a result of the dampening effects effect on the central nervous system.

These side effects may be annoying, but are not usually dangerous. Nevertheless, it is important to inform your doctor about such symptoms, especially if they persist for a long time or severely affect your quality of life.

In the next section, we take a closer look at why constipation is so common - and what you can do about it.

Why constipation is so common with morphine

Among the side effects of morphine, constipation is probably the one that causes patients the most distress - and for good reason. While the body often gets used to other side effects such as nausea or dizziness after a few days, constipation usually persists. But why is that?

Morphine not only acts on the central nervous system, but also on the opioid receptors in the intestine. These receptors control the movements of the intestinal muscles, which ensure that the chyme is transported towards the exit. Morphine slows down these movements considerably, which means that the stool remains in the bowel for longer. This has two consequences: Firstly, more water is removed from the stool, making it harder, and secondly, transport is made more difficult - an unpleasant combination.

What can you do against constipation?

Fortunately, there are some measures that can help:

• Drink a lot: Sufficient fluids are important to soften the stool.
• High-fibre diet: Fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products aid digestion. However, this alone is often not enough.
• Movement: Moderate exercise, such as walking, can also support intestinal activity.
• Abführmittel: Doctors often prescribe so-called laxatives, i.e. medication that facilitates bowel movements. It is important to take these regularly as long as morphine is involved.

It is important not to underestimate the issue of constipation. Some patients are reluctant to talk about it, but an honest discussion with the doctor can bring back a lot of quality of life.

In the next section, we take a look at the more serious side effects of morphine - and how you can recognise when it's getting serious.

Serious side effects: When does it become dangerous?

In addition to the typical side effects such as nausea or constipation, morphine can also cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening under certain circumstances. Respiratory depression is particularly dangerous. Morphine not only dulls the perception of pain, but also the respiratory rate. If breathing becomes too shallow or too slow, the body can no longer be supplied with sufficient oxygen. Those affected often become extremely sleepy, confused or develop a bluish colouring of the lips and fingertips. People with existing breathing problems, such as COPD or sleep apnoea, are particularly at risk.

Morphine can also cause a sharp drop in blood pressure. Those affected usually feel this as sudden dizziness, especially when standing up, or as general weakness. The doctor treating the patient should be informed, especially if they are already taking antihypertensive medication.

Allergic reactions are another risk. In rare cases, the body reacts to morphine with symptoms such as a skin rash, swelling of the face or shortness of breath. Such signs should not be ignored, as they may indicate a serious hypersensitivity that requires medical attention.

These serious side effects make it clear why morphine should never be taken on your own or the dose changed without authorisation. Medical supervision is essential here in order to recognise and minimise risks at an early stage. You can find more information on related substances on our page on Opium .

In the next section, we look at the question of whether morphine can be addictive - and what this means for those affected.

Can morphine be addictive?

Morphine not only has a pain-relieving effects effect, but also harbours a high potential for addiction. This is because it not only blocks the sensation of pain in the brain, but also influences the release of happiness hormones such as dopamine. This can lead to a feeling of euphoria which, with prolonged use, causes the body to demand more and more of the substance - both physically and mentally.

The risk of dependence is particularly high if morphine is taken over a longer period of time or in high doses. This is known as tolerance development: the original dose is no longer effective enough and the patient needs more and more to achieve the same effects.

However, dependence does not necessarily mean that the patient is addicted. Those who take morphine as prescribed by a doctor, adhere to the prescribed dosage and stop taking it in a controlled manner can significantly minimise the risk. It is important to discuss the subject openly with your doctor, especially if you feel that you can no longer manage without the medication.

Stopping morphine: Symptoms and challenges

Stopping morphine is often not easy and should never be done abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Typical symptoms are restlessness, sweating, gastrointestinal complaints and a strong craving for the substance.

A safe way to discontinue morphine is so-called tapering therapy. This involves gradually reducing the dose so that the body can slowly get used to the withdrawal. Ideally, this process is supervised by a doctor to ensure that withdrawal symptoms are minimised and that the patient continues to receive optimal care.

Anyone stopping morphine needs patience and support. Relatives can play an important role by showing understanding and encouraging the person affected to go all the way.

Interactions of morphine with other medications

Morphine is a powerful drug that can be potentially dangerous in combination with other medicines. Particularly problematic are drugs that also depress the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills or tranquillisers. In such cases, the effects of morphine can be increased, which significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression. Alcohol also belongs in this category and should be strictly avoided when taking morphine.

In addition, interactions can occur with medications that seem to have nothing to do with pain, such as:

• Blutdrucksenker : Morphine can also lower blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness or fainting.
• Antidepressiva : Certain active substances, such as those in Bupropion may enhance the effects of morphine or cause unexpected side effects. You can find out more about this in our Blog to Bupropion .
• Antihistaminika : Some allergy medications can increase the attenuating effects effect on the nervous system.

Over-the-counter medications such as cold remedies or painkillers can also be problematic if they contain active ingredients that interact with morphine. It is therefore crucial to inform the attending physician about all medications taken, including dietary supplements or herbal preparations.

To minimise the risk of interactions, an open discussion with your doctor is essential. You can find more information about morphine and related substances on our pages on Opiaten and the Nebenwirkungen from Ritalin .

Tips for the safe use of morphine

Handling morphine requires a high degree of mindfulness. Here are some important tips for using the medication safely and effectively:

• The dosage should always be taken exactly according to the doctor's instructions. Never increase or reduce the dose without authorisation.
• Morphine should not be taken together with alcohol or other depressant substances.
• Store the medicine safely, out of the reach of children and unauthorised persons.
• Inform the doctor regularly about any side effects that occur, even if they appear harmless.

With these measures you can minimise the risk and safely integrate morphine into your everyday life.

Fazit

Morphine is an effective medication that can restore quality of life to many people suffering from severe pain. At the same time, it is a drug that must be treated with respect. The possible side effects - from constipation to more serious problems such as respiratory depression or dependence - show how important it is to work closely with the doctor.

Being well informed is the first step towards using morphine safely. With open communication and medical supervision, many risks can be minimised and the benefits of the medication can be optimally exploited.