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What Causes Vomiting, Fatigue And Difficulty In Breathing After Having A Morphine Shot?

Posted on Sat, 16 Jan 2016

Question: My 56 year old friend had a small dose (apparently 300 micrograms) morphine administered by epidural or spinal in addition to a G A for knee surgery. She had sudden onset 6 hours afterwards of vomiting, weakness, clamminess and breathing difficulty for which a team of medics attended her bedside. She was given oxygen and injections of cyclizine and probably naloxone. She recovered well apart from having low blood pressure for a couple of days. She had previously felt unwell 5 hours after codeine tablets in the past and I wonder (1) if her post op symptoms are likely to have been due to morphine six hours after administration please? She has not been advised and I wonder (2) whether she should avoid morphine in future. Thanks for your advice. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Side effects of opioids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Symptoms you describe, are typical of opioids short term side effects.

Morphine is injected into epidural space in the form of epidural suspension extended release, so this may explain the six hours delay.

Since there was another episode of intolerance against opioids, in my opinion, your friend should avoid any use of opioids such morphine, codeine, Oxycodone, hydrocodone in the future.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D