Morphine (C17H19NO3) is a powerful
analgesicnarcoticdrug found in opium.
Like other opiates, morphine
acts directly on the central
nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and at synapses of the arcuate nucleus,
in particular. Side effects include impairment of mental performance, euphoria,
drowsiness, lethargy, and blurred vision. It also decreases hunger, inhibits
the cough reflex, and produces constipation. Morphine is highly addictive.
Tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly.
Morphine is frequently found in various preparations. Parenterally, it is
given as subcutaneous, intravenous or epidural injections. The military sometimes
issues morphine
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loaded in an autoinjector.
Orally, it comes as an elixir or in tablet form. Morphine is rarely in suppository
form.
Morphine is indicated in:
relief of acute, severe pain
pain after surgery
pain associated with trauma
relief of moderate to severe chronic pain
cancer pain
as an adjunct to general anesthesia
in epidural anesthesia
It was first isolated in 1803 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Serturner, who named it 'morphium' after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. But it was not until the development of the hypodermic syringe (1853) that its use spread. It was used for pain relief and, ironically, as a 'cure' for opium or alcohol addiction. Its extensive use during the American Civil War resulted in over 400,000 sufferers from the 'soldiers disease' (addiction).
Heroin was derived from morphine in 1874. Along with other drugs, its possession without a prescription was criminalised in the US by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914.
