Morphine

(Duramorph)

Analgesics & Pain Modulators

Morphine is the prototypical opioid agonist derived from the opium poppy. As the gold standard against which other opioids are compared, it provides potent analgesia with significant euphoria and sedation. Morphine's relatively slow onset and longer duration make it ideal for sustained pain relief. The drug causes histamine release which can lead to hypotension, especially in hypovolemic patients. Morphine-6-glucuronide is an active metabolite that accumulates in renal failure, prolonging effects. The drug remains a mainstay for acute coronary syndrome pain and end-of-life care.