MORPHINEBy Katelyn Battochio

MorphineMorphine is a naturally occurring substance

of the juice in the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy.

A potent narcotic analgesic, and its primary clinical use is for moderately severe pain.

After Heroin, Morphine has the greatest dependence liability of the narcotic analgesic common use.

Street Names“ M”MorphMiss Emma

In 1805, Morphine was first isolated from opium by a German pharmacist F.W.A Serturner, who named the drug “ Morphium” after Morpheus, the Greek God of dreams.

The PastThe use of injectable Morphine during the

American Civil War is believed to be the widespread addiction to injectable opiates.

It was also used as a surgical anestheticMorphine addiction was called the “Soldiers

Disease” as more than 400,000 wounded soldiers were sent home with Morphine for relief of pain.

Morphine is so effective because it acts directly at pain-modulating receptors in the nervous system, know as Opioid receptors. These receptors respond to natural compounds built by our bodies to control the level of pain we experience at different times.

The BrainIt has a neurotoxic effect on the brain and is

very addictive. On site where Morphine acts in the reward

center of the Brain- the area which makes eating and other essential processes feel pleasurable.

The brain responds to Morphine by building more components for the G protein signaling system.

The Brain Cont.Long term abuse can result

in deadly effects like brain damage because of neurotoxic effects of the drug.

It is a long and painful process to overcome the psychological dependence of Morphine.

The Brain

Although Morphine remains the most effective drug for pain relief, it is far from perfect.

Morphine’s pharmacological effect is on the Nervous system and Gastrointestinal tract.

Morphine is highly addictive and tolerance, physical and psychological dependence develops quickly.

Side EffectsConstipationNausea/VomitingDizzinessHistamine releaseItchingDry MouthAbdominal painLow blood pressureEuphoria

Major Side effectsLIVER: It can cause Hepatitis C or

inflammation to the liver. Hepatitis C virus can usually be found in intravenous drug abusers. Morphine suppresses the immune system and enhances the Hepatitis C replication.

AddictionMorphine chemically alters the normal

functioning of the reward system which leads to Morphine addiction.

It only takes a few days for an individual to get addicted.

ToleranceBecause of its high addictive nature, the

Morphine abuser needs higher and higher doses to maintain the same effect of the drug.

Immune systemYou have a higher risk of infection of

Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and HIV, as morphine decreases immunity.

In Morphine abusers there is a high risk of infections and it may also impair the healing of a wound.

Withdrawal stagesSudden withdrawal of Morphine leads to

prototypical opioid withdrawal syndrome, suicide, heart attacks, stokes, seizures, dehydration, insomnia, elevated blood pressure, muscle and bone aches, loss of appetite and involuntary urination.

There are 6 stages of withdrawals Stage I: Six to fourteen hours after last

dose: Drug craving, anxiety, irritability, perspiration, and mild to moderate dysphoria.

Stage II: Yawning, heavy perspiration, mild depression ,crying, running nose, also intensification of the above symptoms.

Stage III: Increase in other of the above, dilated pupils, piloerection (gooseflesh), muscle twitches, hot flashes, cold flashes, aching bones and muscles, loss of appetite and the beginning of intestinal cramping.

Stage IV: Increase in all of the above including severe cramping and involuntary leg movements ("kicking the habit"), loose stool, insomnia, elevation of blood pressure, moderate elevation in body temperature, increase in frequency of breathing and tidal volume, elevated pulse, restlessness, nausea

Stage V: Increase in the above, fetal position, vomiting, free and frequent liquid diarrhea, which sometimes can accelerate the time of passage of food from mouth to out of system to an hour or less, saturation of bedding materials with bodily fluids, weight loss of two to five kilos per 24 hours, increased white cell count and other blood changes.

Stage VI: Recovery of appetite ("the chucks"), and normal bowel function, beginning of transition to post-acute and chronic symptoms that are mainly psychological but that may also include increased sensitivity to pain, hypertension, colitis or other gastrointestinal afflictions related to motility, and problems with weight control in either direction.

The End