Scientific Names

Morphine Sulphate

Generic Name

Opiate

Effects Of Morphine

Desired Effects:

As for Heroin (except the 'Rush' from injecting morphine is not as strong), euphoria, relaxation, decreased anxiety.

Side-Effects:

Sweating, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constipation.

Risks

Short-term:

Tolerance, Overdose.

Long-term:

Dependence.

How does Morphine work?

Pharmaceutically pure morphine is a white powder. In Tablets it will appear as blue (10mg) or pink (20mg) pills by the brand name Sevredol, or as slow-release tablets under the brand name MST Continus, which come in brown (10mg), purple (30mg), orange (60mg), grey (100mg) or green (200mg).

For injection, morphine sulphate comes as a clear liquid in Ampoules. Other injectable products include Cyclimorph (which contains Cyclizine) and Omnopon, which contains the drug papaveretum, a mixture of Opium Alkaloids. Diamorphine, Oramorph, MST and morphine sulphate are all morphine in its different drug preparations.

Legal status of Morphine

Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

How Is Morphine Taken?

Orally but sometimes the Tablets are crushed and injected. Morphine sulphate is injected.

Paraphernalia

If injected: Needle and Syringe, water, matches or lighter, spoon, Tourniquet, Swabs.

Medical uses of Morphine

Pain relief for moderate to severe pain.

Where does it come from?

The primary active agent of Opium. Little illicit morphine finds its way into Britain, but what is found on the illicit market in this country has probably been diverted from the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacies, or GPs prescriptions.

Helping services

It is rare to find a user dependent on morphine alone unless they have acquired this dependency as part of treatment for some medical condition. In such cases they will probably be treated either by their GP or by drug dependency clinics. Other regular drug injectors using heroin or other opiates may use morphine when they can get hold of it - in which case drug counselling agencies may be able to help them.

Parents & other relatives

Drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents of people using these drugs. Many street agencies can provide relative support groups or counselling for family members, partners etc.

You can view a list of National Drug Agencies.

If you would like to talk about morphine problems then please call the DAN 24/7 Helpline on:

0808 808 2234