What Are The Adverse Effects Of Morphine Overdose?

Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 6 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : what are symptoms of to much morphine will it cause water retention or swelling or cause the kidneys to start to fail

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
respiratory depression

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the most immediate symptom/finding of morphine overdose is respiratory depression, which means a significantly reduced drive for respiratory movements, therefore causing reduced oxygen intake and increase carbon dioxide retention. The patient will become unconscious with blue lips (cyanosis). Any other effect will come later. No significant renal problems are expected unless blood pressure and oxygen disorders affect the blood flow or oxygenation of the kidneys.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)

i was told that the swelling in my mother was that her kidneys were starting to fail and that is why she is swollen she has a cathayder and the bag is filling up like it always has i was also told morphine can cause swelling

the benadryl seems to be making the swelling go down
what do you think about this

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
does not make much sense...

Detailed Answer:
I'm sorry but it doesn't make much sense. Renal dysfunction may indeed cause swelling but the most obvious cause in a patient with a serious allergic reaction is the reaction itself! Morphine may cause swelling if an allergic reaction to it occurs or indirectly as described in my previous answer. If your mother had a serious allergic reaction to doxycycline then this is probably the cause. That's why the antihistamine (benadryl) helps!

I hope this is more clear now!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)

THANKYOU

for your help

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You're welcome

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome, glad to help!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar