Do you have unbearable pain? Sometimes, ordinary painkillers cannot control the pain. Morphine is a very strong painkiller that doctors recommend at such times. In this article, we will talk about the type of morphine that is inserted through the rectum, that is, the Morphine Suppository. We will talk about everything in simple terms, such as how to use it and what to be careful about.
What are these morphine suppositories?
Simply put, morphine is a medicine used to control severe pain . It is usually prescribed by doctors when other painkillers have not worked or are not available. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. This means that even though the pain is in our body, it is reduced in the brain. Morphine belongs to a group of powerful drugs called opioids . When it comes as a suppository, a small bullet-like substance that is inserted into the rectum, it is quickly absorbed by the body and relieves pain.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you morphine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because using this medicine with certain medical conditions can be dangerous. So, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is it important to tell the doctor ? |
|---|---|
| A brain tumor or head injury | Morphine can increase pressure on the brain and make the condition worse. |
| Frequent drinking habit | Combining alcohol and morphine can cause severe effects such as excessive drowsiness, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. |
| Lung diseases, breathing difficulties such as asthma | Because morphine can weaken breathing, it is dangerous for people who already have breathing problems. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Because the body's elimination process is poor, the drug can accumulate in the body and increase side effects. |
| Diseases of the pancreas or gallbladder | This medicine can aggravate symptoms related to that organ. |
| Seizures or convulsions | Morphine can increase the risk of seizures. |
| A history of drug addiction | Because morphine is a drug with a risk of addiction, doctors should be especially careful about it. |
| MAOI medication taken within the past 14 days | Taking these two medications together can cause very serious, even life-threatening, reactions. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Taking morphine for a long time during pregnancy can cause certain problems for the unborn baby. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk and cause breathing difficulties in the baby. |
| Allergy to other medicines, foods or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to morphine or anything else it contains. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Since this is a medicine that is administered rectally, it is very important to know the correct method.
Most importantly: This medicine is for rectal use only. Do not take it by mouth for any reason. Use it only as directed by your doctor, at the time of day, and in the amount prescribed.
1. Wash your hands first: Wash and clean your hands thoroughly with soap before handling the suppository and after inserting it.
2. Remove the wrapping: Carefully remove the silver foil wrapping around the suppository.
3. Wet the tip: To make insertion easier, wet the pointed end with a little water.
4. Correct posture: Lie on your side. Keep your bottom leg straight and bend your top leg towards your stomach. This position makes it easier to insert the medicine into the rectum.
5. Insert the suppository: Lift the upper buttocks slightly and slowly insert the suppository all the way into the rectum, with the pointed end going in first.
6. Hold for a while: After insertion, hold your buttocks together for a few seconds.
7. Rest for 15 minutes: Wait for the suppository to stop coming out, and then lie down for about 15 minutes after inserting it.
What to do if the dose of Kelinema is increased?
If you have any suspicion that you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
What if the pain doesn't subside?
If you take medication and the pain does not subside, or if the pain gets worse, be sure to tell your doctor. As you continue to take this medication, your body may become accustomed to it. This is called tolerance . Then the dose you were taking before may not be enough to control the pain. This is normal. But only your doctor should change the dose. Do not increase the dose if you feel like it.
Taking with things that cause drowsiness
It is very dangerous to take morphine with alcohol, sleeping pills, or other sleep-inducing drugs like benzodiazepines. This can lead to serious breathing problems, loss of consciousness, and even death. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Be especially careful when giving to children.
There is a higher risk of side effects when giving this medicine to children. If your child is given this medicine and is breathing noisily, breathing very slowly, is very drowsy, or is difficult to wake up, stop giving the medicine immediately and take them to an emergency room (ETU).
Drug addiction and withdrawal
When you take morphine for a long time, your body and brain can become dependent on it. This is called dependence. It can happen even if you take it as prescribed by your doctor. Therefore, when you need to stop taking this medicine, do not stop it suddenly. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose. Otherwise, if you stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Driving and operating machinery
This medicine may reduce your concentration, decision-making ability, and balance. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
Constipation
Constipation is a very common side effect of taking morphine. If you have difficulty passing stools for more than 3 days, tell your doctor. During this time , drink plenty of water and eat more fiber-rich foods (fruits and vegetables).
Side effects you may experience
Like any medication, morphine can cause side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Respiratory and central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Breathing that is very slow or shallow, excessive sleepiness, inability to wake up, loss of consciousness. |
| Decreased function of the adrenal glands | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blue eyes, feeling faint when standing up. |
| Rectal pain | Rectal pain, burning, or bleeding after inserting the suppository. |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Constipation | Dry stomach. |
| Drowsiness and dizziness | Feeling of lack of focus. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling like saliva is stuck in the mouth. |
| Nausea and vomiting | This is most common in the first few days after starting the medication. |
How should the medicine be stored and how should it be removed?
- Keep away from children: This is a very potent medicine, so store it in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets .
- Correct temperature: Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not remove the packaging until ready to use.
- After expiration: Throw away expired medication.
- Disposal: The best way to dispose of unused medications is to donate them to a take-back program at a public hospital or pharmacy. If you can't find one, sometimes you'll be advised to flush them down the toilet. Ask your doctor to confirm this.
Never give morphine to someone else. It is against the law and can be very dangerous for that person's life.
Take-Home Message
- Morphine suppositories are a powerful medicine that is used only for severe pain , on the advice of a doctor.
- Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Understand exactly how to use the medicine correctly. If in doubt, ask again.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking morphine, and avoid taking it with other medications that cause drowsiness.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, or inability to wake up, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- Always keep the medicine in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
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