Morphine Myths and Facts
Fact: Morphine should be titrated according to efficacy and toxicity.
Myth: Morphine or other opioids hasten death.
Fact: Morphine does not hasten death if used correctly, and in fact appropriate analgesia can increase life expectancy.
Myth: Morphine is only used when death is imminent.
Fact: Morphine should be used when a person’s pain is severe enough to warrant it; use does not imply that death is imminent
Myth: There is a limit to the dose of morphine that can be used.
Fact: Morphine has no upper limit dose, though in practice if increasingly higher doses are required, consideration should be given to opioid switching.
Myth: Use of morphine will interfere with what other treatment options may be used.
Fact: Morphine use will not limit other treatment options.
Myth: Morphine has intolerable side effects.
Fact: Morphine rarely has intolerable side effects if titrated correctly.
Myth: A person taking morphine should not be driving a car.
Fact: Taking morphine does not exclude a person from driving if the dose is stable.