Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Morphine as follows:
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Morphine use, by depressing the respiratory center in the brain, can slow down of respirations and reduce oxygen levels in the body. This can result in profound muscle weakness, lack of muscle tone, and extreme fatigue.
- Reduced oxygen supply to the brain can contribute to development of seizures. The risk for this side-effect can be extremely high in individuals with history of the same.
Serotonin syndrome
- Morphine use can contribute to elevation of serotonin levels in the body and contribute to development of serotonin syndrome. The risk for development of this side-effect can be even high, when morphine is taken along with a few other antidepressants, such as, imipramine, fluoxetine, and sertraline.
- Individuals, due to serotonin syndrome, can present with mania, excitement, hallucinations, agitation, insomnia, pounding heartbeat, very rapid heart rate, overactive reflexes, and diarrhea.
