Anamorph

Drugs

Generic Name: Morphine sulfate
Product Name: Anamorph

Indication of Anamorph
Action of Anamorph
Dose Advice of Anamorph
Schedule of Anamorph
Common side effects of Anamorph
Uncommon side effects of Anamorph

Indication of Anamorph:

Morphine is used for the relief of severe pain where non-narcotic analgesics and other measures have failed. It is suitable for short-term use only, except in patients with terminal conditions.

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Action of Anamorph:

Morphine is an opioid analgesic. Opioid analgesics work directly on the central nervous system, where they act on specific opioid receptors. By interacting with these receptors Morphine can cause analgesia without causing loss of consciousness, although sedation is commonly seen. Opioid analgesics also act on the respiratory control centre of the brain, causing a decrease in breathing rate and depth. Due to an effect on organs that contain smooth muscle (stomach, intestines, gallbladder etc), opioids also cause a number of gastrointestinal effects.

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Dose Advice of Anamorph:

Anamorph
Adults
- ½-1 tablet initially
- may be repeated every 4-6 hours
- if chronic pain is due to cancer, dose may be adjusted until adequate analgesia is achieved
Elderly
- longer dosage intervals or lower doses may be required
Sevredol
Adults
- one 10mg tablet 4-hourly
- increasing tolerance may require increase in dosage, combinations of 10 and 20mg tablets can be used for this
Elderly
- a reduction in the adult dosage may be necessary

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Schedule of Anamorph:

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Common side effects of Anamorph:

- faintness
- vertigo
- sedation
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- headache
- lightheadedness on standing up
- itch
- dry mouth
- urinary retention
- constipation

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Uncommon side effects of Anamorph:

- changes in blood pressure
- insomnia
- confusion
- hallucinations
- delirium
- hives
- decreased body temperature
- changes in heart rate
- respiratory depression (slower, more shallow breathing)
- muscle rigidity
- facial flushing

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