Opioid Receptor and Morphine Action

Opioid Receptor

• Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• Specifically, it binds to mu (μ) opioid receptors, which are responsible for its analgesic and euphoric effects
• Mu receptors are G-protein coupled receptors, which inhibit the release of neurotransmitters and reduce pain transmission

Addiction Risks

• Morphine has a high potential for physical dependence and addiction due to its euphoric effects
• Long-term use can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms can occur when use is stopped or reduced, including anxiety, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms

Pharmacology

• Morphine is a lipophilic molecule, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the CNS
• It is available in various forms, including oral tablets, capsules, and injectable solutions
• The oral bioavailability of morphine is approximately 20-30%, due to extensive first-pass metabolism

Medical Uses

• Morphine is primarily used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain
• It is often used in hospice and palliative care to manage pain and other symptoms in terminally ill patients
• Morphine can also be used to treat dyspnea (shortness of breath) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure

Analgesic Effects

• Morphine's analgesic effects are due to its ability to reduce the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord and brain
• It can produce a range of analgesic effects, from mild to profound, depending on the dose and individual response
• Morphine can also produce a sense of euphoria, which can contribute to its addictive potential

Opioid Receptor

• Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), specifically to mu (μ) opioid receptors, which are responsible for its analgesic and euphoric effects.
• Mu receptors are G-protein coupled receptors, which inhibit the release of neurotransmitters and reduce pain transmission.

Addiction Risks

• Morphine has a high potential for physical dependence and addiction due to its euphoric effects.
• Long-term use can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms can occur when use is stopped or reduced, including anxiety, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms.

Pharmacology

• Morphine is a lipophilic molecule, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the CNS.
• Oral bioavailability of morphine is approximately 20-30%, due to extensive first-pass metabolism.
• Morphine is available in various forms, including oral tablets, capsules, and injectable solutions.

Medical Uses

• Morphine is primarily used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain.
• It is often used in hospice and palliative care to manage pain and other symptoms in terminally ill patients.
• Morphine can also be used to treat dyspnea (shortness of breath) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure.

Analgesic Effects

• Morphine's analgesic effects are due to its ability to reduce the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord and brain.
• It can produce a range of analgesic effects, from mild to profound, depending on the dose and individual response.
• Morphine can also produce a sense of euphoria, which can contribute to its addictive potential.