Overview: Morphine is a non-synthetic narcotic with a high potential for abuse and is the principal constituent of opium. It is one of the most effective drigs known for the relief of severe pain.

 

Street Names: Dreamer, Emsel, First Line, God's Drug, Hows, M.S., Mister Blue, Morf, Morpho, Unkie

 

Looks Like: Morphone is marketed under generc and brand name products, including: MS-Contin®, oramorph SR®, MSiR®, Roxanol®, Kadian®, and RMS®.

 

Methods of Abuse: Traditionally, morphine was almost exclusively used by injection, but the variety of pharmaceutical forms that it is marketed as today support its use by oral and other routes of administration. Forms include: oral solutions, immediate-and sustained-released tablets and capsules, suppositories, and injectable preparations. Those dependent on morphone prefer injection because the drug enters the blood stream more quickly.

 

Affect on Mind: Morphine's effects include euphoria and relief of pain. Chronic use of morphone results in tolerance and physical and psychological dependence.

 

Affect on Body: Morphine use results in relief from physical pain, decrease in hunger, and inhibition of the cough reflex.

 

Drugs Causing Similar Effects: Drugs causing similar effects as morphine include: opium, codeine, heroin, methadone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and oxycodone.

 

Overdose Effects: Overdose effects include: cold, clammy skin, lowered blood pressure, sleepiness, slowed breathing, slow pulse rate, coma, and possible death.

*Above information courtesy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (www.dea.gov)