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Morphine Pills

Morphine is known the world over as the premier drug for the treatment of pain. What some may not know, however, is that the drug occurs naturally in opium poppy plants. This discovery was made, and morphine isolated from the plant for medical applications, in the beginning of the 19th century.

Since then, morphine has been the go-to choice for physicians looking to address pain associated with any number of injuries, surgeries, and long-term ailments. In addition to its own medicinal usage, morphine is the precursor from which other painkillers like codeine or oxycodone are derived. So, whether it is for tooth pain or chronic pain management for cancer patients, morphine has been an integral drug in health care for hundreds of years now.

Counter to its beneficial nature, morphine has an underlying darker disposition for some people. Like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and even heroin, morphine is part of the group of drugs known as opioids and opiates. In fact, morphine is the first opioid of them all — laying the groundwork for centuries of effective pain relief and, unfortunately, illicit misuse as well. Even when taken as prescribed, opioids can have dangerous repercussions, namely, dependence and substance use disorders. These consequences are exacerbated by non-intended use patterns, such as when the drugs are used for recreational purposes. Thousands of individuals succumb to morphine overdoses annually, and tens of thousands more to its deadlier derivatives.

No matter the form it may take, morphine is a drug that has associated risks and benefits. These two traits never seem to be mutually exclusive, and there will almost always be some overlap, so a thorough understanding of what one may be getting themselves into is a vital first step.

Morphine Pills

Morphine comes in several forms, from an IV liquid to a wearable patch. Perhaps the most common, however, are a number of morphine prescription pills. When in tablet or pill formulations, morphine is chemically linked to a compound known as a sulfate. These sulfates allow the drug to be easily absorbed by the body. From here, the morphine itself may freely bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to treat the chronic pain. Many doctors choose to place their patients on a pill regimen due to the consistency in doses, ease of use, and ability to control prescription numbers.

Some morphine pills will be of the extended- or sustained-release variety, while others being instant release. The main difference here comes down to time. Extended- and sustained-release morphine creates a steady release of the medication over the course of several hours. As such, these forms only need to be taken a few times every 24 hours. Instant-release morphine, on the other hand, can be administered more frequently.

Morphine Pills 30 mg

Pills containing 30 milligrams of morphine are prescribed on a regular basis. These tablets are recognizable by their red, purple, or lavender coloration.

Morphine Pill Dosage

Along with the purplish 30 mg pills, morphine is available in several other potency arrangements. Said dosage amounts include: blue 15-mg pills, orange 60-mg pills, gray 100-mg pills, and green 200-mg pills. The later of which is reserved for patients with an accumulated tolerance to opioids. Such pills can be lethal to anyone else.

In general, an opioid-naïve patient will be prescribed less potent pills and directed to take the meds once or twice daily. Alternatively, those with an aforementioned tolerance may be prescribed 200 milligrams to adequately tackle their pain symptoms.

Morphine Pill High

A morphine high is similar to that of all other opioids: sedative and euphoric in varying degrees. For morphine, in particular, a high occurs when the pills are taken in excess or in inadvisable ways. Tablets can first be crushed or chewed and then snorted, swallowed, or injected. Any one of these methods may lead to overdoses, simply because breaking the drug prevents its built-in safeguard — the extended-release mechanism — from working properly. There is no telling how much morphine the body will activate instantly and uninhibited, leading to grave results for many.

Morphine Pill Side Effects

Symptoms and side effects may arise with any ingestion of morphine pills. A patient or recreational users’ history of use, biology, and dosage amount all have something to do with this possibility. Common side effects include dangerous levels of lethargy, confusion, nausea, and irregular bowel movements.

More serious and potentially life-threatening side effects such as respiratory depression may also occur, though much less frequently. Symptoms and disorders can arise in any number of regions in the body:

Cardiovascular system disorders
Gastrointestinal system disorders
Nervous system disorders (including those related to the eyes)
Renal system disorders
Integumentary system disorders
Musculoskeletal system disorders
Reproductive system disorders
Respiratory system disorders

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Always consult with a medical professional to better understand the related hazards — and seek medical attention if any side effects appear as they may also be indicative of an overdose.

Morphine pills have a capacity to both heal and do harm. No blanket statement can be made to support either end as the extent of which is dependent on a person-by-person basis. Whether one is looking to start taking the drug for medical reasons or quit its use outright, morphine education is the best tool no matter what course of action is taken.

If you’re looking for medically assisted drug or alcohol rehab, The Recovery Village can help. With a variety of treatment programs from medical detox through outpatient, this renowned center can provide you with a safe and supervised environment to heal in. Don’t let an addiction ruin your life — call 352.771.2700 today to learn more.

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