Morphine overdose

Definition

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

Poisonous Ingredient

Morphine sulfate

Where Found

• Morphine
• M S Contin
• Roxanol
• Astramorph

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

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

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: National Poison Control center

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
• Gastric lavage
• Laxative
• 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.