Morphine induced asthma attack ??

Trauma Columnist · Jul 11, 2009

"Pulmonary Disorders

Care is urged in using this drug in patients who have a decreased respiratory reserve (e.g., emphysema, severe obesity, kyphoscoliosis, or paralysis of the phrenic nerve). Morphine should be used with caution in patients with asthma, chest wounds, upper airway obstruction, or in any other acute or chronic pulmonary disorder because of the known risk of acute respiratory failure following Morphine administration in such patients."

http://www.drugs.com/pro/morphine-injection.html

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jul 11, 2009

Morphine wouldn't cause an asthma attack, but it could make any respiratory problem worse, since it decreases respiratory ability as a side effect. In someone who already has asthma, it might seem like an asthma "attack." Also, it's possible for a patient to be allergic to asthma, and that could seem like an asthma attack.

allnurses Guide · Jul 11, 2009

Does morphine induce asthma attack ? very queries about this statement , anyone heard about it before ? i cant find more info on net... can anyonw pls explain to me please ~~~~~

Morphine causes release of histamine which can elicit bronchoconstriction. http://books.google.com/books?id=BOqlw_H5gxoC&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=morphine+histamine+release+asthma&source=bl&ots=HvZ1m8ZDWq&sig=icJ9CASgEvvIBAz1e6g5MEWB76k&hl=en&ei=5aNYStHqLsSHtgfokoXdCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3

CRNA1982 · Jul 11, 2009

Morphine, a phenanthrene opioid causes histamine release which may cause hypotension as well as aggravate asthmatic pts. causing attack. Consider using phenylpiperidine opioids such as Fentanyl to prevent histamine release.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Jul 11, 2009

Morphine is a natural opiate, and as such causes histamine release.....so, yeah, in a sensitive individual, it could precipitate such a reaction.

loveanesthesia · Jul 11, 2009

As to specifically causing an asthma attack, morphine can do that because of histamine release. It is well accepted that variable degrees of histamine release will result secondary to the administration of morphine. Histamine is a potent bronchocontrictor, and so has the potential to induce an asthma attack. All narcotics are respiratory depressants so must be given with caution to anyone with significant respiratory compromise.