Morphine for Heart Attack
Examples
| Generic Name |
|---|
| morphine |
How It Works
Morphine is an opioid. It acts upon specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord to decrease the feeling of pain and to reduce the emotional response to pain.
Why It Is Used
For a heart attack, morphine is used in the emergency setting to relieve pain.
How Well It Works
Morphine effectively treats moderate to severe pain.
Side Effects
Morphine is given in the hospital. So a person is watched closely for any side effects.
Common side effects of morphine include:
- Trouble breathing.
- Feeling lightheaded or tired.
- Nausea.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
For a heart attack, morphine is given for a short time to relieve pain.
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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

