Morphine Sulfate

 

Binds opiate receptors in CNS, altering perception of and emotional response to pain.

                       

Route	Onset of Action	Peak Effect	Duration of Action
IV	<1 minute	5 – 20 minutes	4-7 hours
IM	5 – 10 minutes	30-60 minutes	4-7 hours
Oral	Within 1 hour	1-2 hours	6-12 hours

 

Dosage/Administration

 

Adults:

Give 2 – 10 mg IV. 

 

• Must give slowly and titrate to individual response.  

 

• Assess patient continuously for signs and symptoms of pain and give additional doses for increasing pain levels. 

 

• Decrease dosage if giving to elderly or debilitated patients and in patients with renal or hepatic disease. 

 

• Dilute with 5 ml of sterile water or NS and give slowly. 

 

• May repeat every 15 minutes. 

 

• Total dosage 10 mg in 60 minutes.

      

Pediatrics:

0.05 – 0.1 mg/kg  IV, titrated to effect.

 

Adverse Reactions

 

• Respiratory effects – respiratory depression,  bronchospasm, laryngospasm.

 

• Cardiovascular effects – hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, arrhythmias

 

• CNS effects – euphoria, dysphoria, somnolence, syncope

 

• GI effects – nausea, vomiting, constipation, biliary tract spasm

 

• GU – urinary retention

 

• Integumentary – pruritis/local tissue irritation, urticaria, skin wheals

 

• Musculoskeletal – chest wall rigidity

 

Reversal Agent 

 

Naloxone (Narcan) will reverse the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of MS overdose.