Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Does Morphine Cause Stomach Contractions And Vomiting?

Can morfin cause a some what comatose person to have sever stomach contractions as if they were throwing up. My husband is in end stage luckemia and has not eaten in 3 weeks. The last few days he has been getting only a few oz of water with his meds. He acts as if he is trying to throw up.
Thu, 30 Mar 2017
Report Abuse
Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I am sorry to hear about your husband’s condition.

You are right in thinking that morphine could be the cause of your husband’s symptoms.

Nausea/vomiting are common in patients who are receiving palliative treatment when they are at the end of their life. The nausea/vomiting can be due to the cancer they have, the metabolic effects of cancer (for example, cancer can lead to raised calcium levels in the body, which can cause nausea/vomiting). Nausea/vomiting also occur due to the drugs they are given – morphine can cause triggering of the CTZ-vomiting centre in the brain.

As your husband is restless with his nausea and wanting to throw up, h would benefit from anti-emetics (anti-nausea/vomiting drugs) like Prochlorperazine 5 mg or Ondansetron 4-8 mg. I would advise you to contact his doctor.

The main aim of his treatment now should be to keep him as comfortable as possible. I hope you get the strength to deal with these testing times.

I hope this answer has helped you.

Thank you
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Does Morphine Cause Stomach Contractions And Vomiting?

Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. I am sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. You are right in thinking that morphine could be the cause of your husband’s symptoms. Nausea/vomiting are common in patients who are receiving palliative treatment when they are at the end of their life. The nausea/vomiting can be due to the cancer they have, the metabolic effects of cancer (for example, cancer can lead to raised calcium levels in the body, which can cause nausea/vomiting). Nausea/vomiting also occur due to the drugs they are given – morphine can cause triggering of the CTZ-vomiting centre in the brain. As your husband is restless with his nausea and wanting to throw up, h would benefit from anti-emetics (anti-nausea/vomiting drugs) like Prochlorperazine 5 mg or Ondansetron 4-8 mg. I would advise you to contact his doctor. The main aim of his treatment now should be to keep him as comfortable as possible. I hope you get the strength to deal with these testing times. I hope this answer has helped you. Thank you Regards Dr Sunita Sayammagaru