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What Are The Side Effects Of Morphine In A 72 Year Old?
Question: My husband has been prescribed morphine 15 mg tablets up to 4x a day for pain. However, he does not have pain constantly, so only takes them as necessary. Is there any detriment to taking them once or twice a day and then going off them when he doesn't feel it necessary to take one? What are some side effects of morphine in someone 72 years old, aside from constipation?
Brief Answer:
SmallerDoses are better, pain free is the goal, adverse effects mentioned.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Morphine is one of the last resorts of pain management and in terminally ill patients its a blessing. Its good that your husband is pain free with even one or two doses instead of 4 hourly or 6 hourly recommended ones.
The smaller the dose with maximum effect of pain relief the better it is. So no there is no harm in taking less dosages on SOS basis and small dosages and less frequent use is better and have less repercussions.
As far as the adverse effects are concerned those don't outweigh the needs of its use in pain management. Unless there is seriously discomforting one don't stop using it. Commonest reported ones are itching, urine retention, vomiting and somnolence and constipation. However it should not be taken with alcohol or any other beverage as it leads to serious respiratory depression.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
SmallerDoses are better, pain free is the goal, adverse effects mentioned.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Morphine is one of the last resorts of pain management and in terminally ill patients its a blessing. Its good that your husband is pain free with even one or two doses instead of 4 hourly or 6 hourly recommended ones.
The smaller the dose with maximum effect of pain relief the better it is. So no there is no harm in taking less dosages on SOS basis and small dosages and less frequent use is better and have less repercussions.
As far as the adverse effects are concerned those don't outweigh the needs of its use in pain management. Unless there is seriously discomforting one don't stop using it. Commonest reported ones are itching, urine retention, vomiting and somnolence and constipation. However it should not be taken with alcohol or any other beverage as it leads to serious respiratory depression.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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