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What are the Pros and Cons of Using Morphine Pills?

Marisa O'Connor
Marisa O'Connor

The pros and cons of using morphine pills vary with each case. The primary purpose of morphine is pain relief. This drug has many potential negative effects, so it is prescribed only when the need for pain relief outweighs the possible cons. Some of these cons include physical symptoms, such as stomach and sleeping problems, anxiety, or the possibility of an adverse reaction due to allergies or a preexisting condition. Lastly, a major concern of morphine is that it is highly addictive.

The major positive effect of morphine pills is pain relief. Morphine is a type of narcotic pain reliever, and its primary purpose is to dull the pain receptors in the brain. It is generally used to treat moderate to severe pain. Due to the highly addictive nature of narcotics, most physicians try to limit the prescription of morphine to the shortest period of time. The exception is for palliative care, which is pain relief for people who are dying, when addiction is not an issue.

Morphine is derived from the opium poppy.
Morphine is derived from the opium poppy.

Another positive effect of taking morphine pills is an induced state of euphoria. It is often described as an unusual pleasant feeling. The medical definition of this state is a mental and emotional state, producing a profound sense of well-being. Euphoria is almost always chemically induced, but similar states are produced naturally during orgasm, spiritual rituals, and athletic activity.

Unlike injections, morphine tablets are easy to take at home.
Unlike injections, morphine tablets are easy to take at home.

Morphine pills can cause some uncomfortable physical side effects. These effects may include constipation, nausea, or loss of appetite. Sleeping problems, memory problems, and anxiety are also common side effects of morphine. These side effects are common, though some people tolerate morphine very well and don't have any side effects at all.

Another con of using morphine pills is that it is toxic when combined with alcohol. Serious health problems can occur, including death, when mixing morphine and alcohol. While taking morphine, a person should be careful to check the labels of all food and beverages to avoid accidental alcohol consumption while morphine is in the system.

Morphine poses a danger of passing to a baby through breast milk.
Morphine poses a danger of passing to a baby through breast milk.

Morphine pills will cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to narcotic medicine. A person who has experienced an allergic reaction to other narcotics, including methadone, codeine, or vicodin, should stay clear of morphine. It can also cause additional health problems in people with breathing disorders, gland disorders, and liver or kidney disease.

Morphine can be addictive.
Morphine can be addictive.

Another con of morphine pills is that they are harmful during pregnancy. Morphine may be harmful to an unborn baby. It may cause developmental problems. If morphine is taken during pregnancy, the baby might be born with an addiction or withdrawal symptoms. This drug should also be avoided while breastfeeding, as it can be passed to the baby through breast milk and may cause harm.

Withdrawal symptoms of morphine may include night sweats and nightmares.
Withdrawal symptoms of morphine may include night sweats and nightmares.

A negative aspect of morphine pills is that they can become habit forming. Morphine is not recommended for people with a history of substance abuse problems. This is especially true when taking morphine for long-term pain relief. The prescribing doctor may want to gradually wean the patient off morphine to avoid withdrawal.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

Well, people often steal morphine tablets in drugstore robberies, so that's definitely a con, it's easier to control the dosage with tablets -- assuming the patient takes them as prescribed. Which leads to another con: if the patient takes far more of them more frequently than usual. Used as prescribed, the pills are not nearly as harmful as some think they are. It's when they're abused that the problems start.

Some people just can't have any high-powered medication in their vicinity without taking it, so it's worth interviewing the patient to see if he or she has a background with addiction, to gauge the possibilities of the patient becoming addicted in a very short time.

Pippinwhite

Morphine has its uses, but it can be habit forming, and very quickly. A friend's husband was on it after surgery for pancreatitis and the doctor just cut off the scrip cold turkey. He only took it for two weeks, but he had withdrawals after he stopped.

Seems to me the doctor would have done better to have cut the dosage in half, then in half again, before getting him off it completely. Since he didn't, Henry was pretty miserable for several days until everything got out of his system. He was also an alcoholic, so I questioned the wisdom of giving him morphine anyway.

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    • Morphine is derived from the opium poppy.
      By: peteri
      Morphine is derived from the opium poppy.
    • Unlike injections, morphine tablets are easy to take at home.
      By: Tsuboya
      Unlike injections, morphine tablets are easy to take at home.
    • Morphine poses a danger of passing to a baby through breast milk.
      By: Kzenon
      Morphine poses a danger of passing to a baby through breast milk.
    • Morphine can be addictive.
      By: Nejron Photo
      Morphine can be addictive.
    • Withdrawal symptoms of morphine may include night sweats and nightmares.
      By: Innovated Captures
      Withdrawal symptoms of morphine may include night sweats and nightmares.