Morphine History Essay

2000 Words8 Pages
Why would this drug be used? Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It comes in different forms, such as short-acting liquids or tablets, and long-acting (sustained-release) tablets or capsules. Short and long-acting pain medicines are often used together for severe chronic cancer pain. A long-acting pain medicine is given at regular times to provide continuous pain relief, and a quick, short-acting medicine is given when pain "breaks through" the longer-acting medicine. The fast-acting drug is sometimes called a "rescue" medicine. Because morphine is made in both long-acting and short-acting forms, it can be used for either of these roles. One of morphine's sustained-release forms may be used for continuous pain relief, and a short-acting form of morphine that relieves pain quickly (often a liquid) may be used as the rescue medicine. Although the short-acting morphine may be used by itself for short-term pain, such as pain after surgery, long-acting morphine is used for chronic (long-term) pain. How does this drug work? Morphine is an opioid pain reliever. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system (CNS), reducing the perception of pain as well as the emotional response to pain. How is this drug taken or given? Morphine is available in a number of forms. It is usually taken as a pill or liquid by mouth. It comes in short-acting forms (which may need to be taken every 3 to 4 hours) and long-acting forms (which are usually taken every 8 to 24 hours). It can also be given by an injection into a vein or around the spinal cord, as a continuous infusion through a pump connected to a vein, or as a rectal suppository. The medicine will cause constipation, so make sure you talk with your doctor or nurse about what kind of laxatives to use to prevent this. Take morphine pills or liquid with a full glass of water, with or without
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