Health Encyclopedia

Morphine overdose

Definition

Morphine is a very strong painkiller. Morphine overdose occurs when a person intentionally or accidentally takes too much of the medicine.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

Morphine sulfate

Where Found

Astramorph
Morphine
M S Contin
Roxanol

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Pinpoint pupils
Gastrointestinal system
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Spasms of the stomach or intestinal tract
- Vomiting
Heart and blood vessels
- Low blood pressure
- Weak pulse
Nervous system
- Coma
- Drowsiness
- Possible seizures
Respiratory system
- Difficulty breathing
- Slow and labored breathing
- Shallow breathing
- No breathing
Skin
- Bluish-colored fingernails and lips

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Perform mouth-to-mouth breathing if the person stops breathing.

Before Calling Emergency

If possible, determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition (for example, is the person awake or alert?)
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The health care team will closely monitor the person's breathing. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Fluids by IV
Laxative
Naloxone, a medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison -- multiple doses may be needed

Expectations (prognosis)

A large overdose can cause breathing to stop and death if the person does not get medical attention or an antidote right away.

References

Goldfrank LR, ed. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2006.

Review Date:2/3/2009
Reviewed By:John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Samaritan Regional Health System, Ashland, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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