Small molecule
PubChem CID 5288826
Morphine
MS Contin
- Mechanism of action
- Mu-opioid receptor agonist
- In plain language
- Activates the body's natural pain-relief switches in the brain and spinal cord, turning down how strongly pain signals are felt.
- How it works
- Morphine is a full agonist at mu-opioid receptors located throughout the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues involved in nociception. Receptor binding inhibits ascending transmission of pain signals from the spinal cord to higher brain centers and activates descending inhibitory pathways, while also altering the perception of and emotional response to pain. Extended-release formulations provide continuous receptor occupancy over an extended dosing interval, supporting management of persistent, around-the-clock pain rather than intermittent dosing. Analgesic effect is accompanied by dose-related respiratory depression due to the same receptor mechanism.
- Therapeutic applications
- Indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain requiring around-the-clock opioid therapy in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate, not tolerated, or ineffective. Not indicated for as-needed pain relief.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Analgesic / Pain
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