Definition

Morphine overdose is poisoning from an overdose of morphine.

Poisonous Ingredient

Morphine sulfate

Where Found

  • Morphine
  • M S Contin
  • Roxanol
  • Astramorph

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Home Treatment

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • The patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  • The time it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
  • If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

  • Use gastric lavage.
  • Administer activated charcoal.
  • Administer a laxative.
  • Give a counteracting drug (narcotic antagonist). Multiple doses may be needed.
  • Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
  • Monitor breathing.
  • Treat the symptoms.
  • Naloxone hydrochloride intravenously.

Expectations (prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 - 72 hours.

Review Date:5/10/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone, M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.