Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking morphine as follows:
- Morphine use can result in extreme slowing of bowels, resulting in severe constipation. So, morphine is contraindicated or used with extreme caution in individuals with history sluggish bowel, to prevent an acute episode of gastrointestinal obstruction and paralytic ileus. Individuals can present with absent bowel movements beyond 2 – 3 days, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and colic, and sense of abdominal fullness. Report to your physician immediately regarding any new development or exacerbation of the above mentioned findings, following intake of morphine, to facilitate an appropriate change in your plan of care.
- Morphine is mainly metabolized in the liver and the metabolites are mainly excreted in the urine. If liver and renal functions are deficient, the metabolism and excretion of morphine can be compromised. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in increased risk for side-effects and consequent toxicity. So, morphine must be used with extreme caution in individuals with history of compromised liver and renal functions, with possible multiple dose adjustments, and periodical monitoring for liver and renal functions. Discuss with your physician regarding any history of or recent compromise with liver and renal functions, so that, your dose of morphine intake can be appropriately revised, to prevent development of any dangerous side-effects and toxicity symptoms.
