Drug Cards

Morphine Sulfate

Class:
Opiod analgesic (Schedule II drug).
Mechanism of Action:
  • Alleviates pain through CNS actions.
  • Suppresses fear and anxiety centers in brain.
  • Depresses brain stem respiratory centers.
  • Decreases preload and afterload, decreasing myocardial oxygen demand.
Indications:
  • Analgesia for moderate to severe acute and chronic pain (use with caution).
  • Severe CHF, pulmonary edema.
  • Chest pain associated with acute MI.
Contraindications:
  • Head injury
  • Exacerbated COPD.
  • Depressed respiratory drive.
  • Hypotension undiagnosed abdominal pain.
  • Decreased level of conciousness.
  • Suspected hypovolemia.
Adverse reactions:
Respiratory depression, hypotension, decreased level of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, tachycardia, syncope, facial flushing, euphoria, bronchospasm, dry mouth.
Adult Dosage and Administration
0.1 mg/kg to a maximum of 10 mg IV/IM/SC.
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Pediatric Dosage and Administration
0.1 - 0.2 mg/kg / dose IV, IO, IM, SC every 5 minutes titrated to max. of 5 mg.
Duration of Action
  • Onset: Immediate.
  • Peak effect: 20 minutes.
  • Duration: 2 - 7 hours.
Special Considerations:
  • Pregnancy safety: Category C.
  • Morphine rapidly crosses the placenta.
  • Safety in neonate not established.
  • Use with caution in geriatric population and those with COPD, asthma.
  • Naloxone should be readily available as antidote.