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Opioid Analgesic — Strong

Morphine (Orthopaedic Acute Pain)

Brand names: Oramorph, MST Continus, Sevredol, Morphgesic

Morphine is a strong opioid analgesic used for moderate-to-severe acute orthopaedic pain such as fractures and post-injury pain, given by oral or parenteral routes.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is an agonist at mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing the perception of and emotional response to pain.

Prescribing in practice

  • Titrate carefully and observe for respiratory depression and sedation, particularly with parenteral dosing, in the elderly, and alongside other sedatives.
  • Reduce dose and frequency in renal impairment, as the active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide accumulates and prolongs effect.
  • Co-prescribe laxatives and antiemetic cover, and plan a step-down analgesic strategy to limit opioid duration.

Monitoring

Monitor pain scores, sedation and respiratory rate after dosing, with naloxone available for over-sedation.

Counselling the patient

  • May cause drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
  • Constipation is common, so take any prescribed laxative regularly.
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Evidence & guidelines

Strong opioids are recommended for short-term severe acute pain in UK guidance, with emphasis on minimising duration and arranging review.

Reference: NICE NG124 (Hip Fracture); MHRA Drug Safety Update 2017 (Gabapentinoids + Opioids); ERAS Society Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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