Drug Fact Sheet: Morphine

What Is Morphine?

Morphine is a non-synthetic narcotic derived from opium. It has a high potential for abuse and is commonly used in medical settings for the treatment of pain.

What Is Its Origin?

In the United States, a small percentage of morphine obtained from opium is used directly in pharmaceutical products. The remaining morphine is further processed into:

• Codeine
• Other opium-derived medications
  

Common Street Names

Morphine is known by several street names, including:

• Dreamer
• Emsel
• First Line
• God’s Drug
• Hows
• M.S.
• Mister Blue
• Morf
• Morpho
• Unkie
  

What Does It Look Like?

Morphine is sold under both generic and brand-name pharmaceutical products, including:

• MS-Contin®
• Oramorph SR®
• MSIR®
• Roxanol®
• Kadian®
• RMS®
  

How Is Morphine Abused?

Historically, morphine was most commonly abused through injection. Today, the wide range of pharmaceutical forms allows for abuse through multiple routes of administration.

Available Forms

• Oral solutions
• Immediate-release tablets
• Extended-release tablets and capsules
• Injectable preparations
  

Individuals dependent on morphine often prefer injection because it delivers the drug into the bloodstream more rapidly.

Effects on the Mind

Morphine’s mental effects include:

• Euphoria
• Relief from pain
  

Chronic use can lead to:

• Tolerance
• Physical dependence
• Psychological dependence
  

Effects on the Body

Morphine affects the body by:

• Relieving physical pain
  
• Decreasing hunger
  
• Suppressing the cough reflex
  Overdose Effects

An overdose of morphine may cause:

• Cold, clammy skin
• Low blood pressure
• Extreme sleepiness
• Slowed breathing
• Slow pulse rate
• Coma
• Possible death
  

Drugs With Similar Effects

Drugs that produce effects similar to morphine include:

• Opium
  Codeine
• Heroin
• Methadone
• Hydrocodone
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
  

Legal Status in the United States

Morphine is classified as a Schedule II narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act, indicating:

• Accepted medical use
• High potential for abuse
• Risk of severe dependence