Morphine is a powerful opioid drug that is typically used to manage moderate to severe pain. It is only available by prescription or in a healthcare setting because of its strong addictive properties and overdose potential.
While it is strictly regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), morphine remains a considerable public health concern in America. It is classified as a schedule II controlled substance and sold under multiple brand names.
If you’ve been prescribed this powerful drug, you may be wondering, “How long does morphine stay in your urine?”
It is important to be able to answer this question as combining morphine with other respiratory depressants can prove dangerous. Healthcare providers and drug rehab personnel should also understand how morphine behaves in an individual’s system.
It can show them whether patients are complying with their plan of care or when additional action should be taken to prevent further hazards.
How Morphine Works
Morphine works to reduce pain by attaching to certain receptors in the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are also responsible for risk-reward response and mood regulation in addition to transmitting pain signals.
Morphine helps prevent the release of neurotransmitters that send pain responses to the brain. It also promotes the release of dopamine, causing feelings of euphoria and pleasure.
Morphine binds specifically to mu-opioid receptors to help alter neurotransmitter activity.
In addition to euphoria, morphine also causes feelings of sedation and respiratory depression. Even when used to manage pain, extended morphine use can lead to physical dependence. Increased tolerance occurs when it requires more of the drug to achieve the desired effect.
Morphine’s Detectable Timeline
The length of time morphine can be detected in the system varies with multiple factors. A person’s body mass index, hydration level, liver and kidney function, and even their metabolism can impact morphine’s elimination period.
When wondering, “How long does morphine stay in your urine?” you must first understand morphine’s half-life.
The half-life is the length of time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the active compounds. For morphine sulfate, that is usually 2 to 4 hours.
Morphine can typically be detected in the urine up to 4 days after the last ingestion, but its metabolites can be detected long after use has stopped. A urine test is the most common way to test for morphine use.
However, a blood test can detect morphine use within 30 minutes of ingestion and for up to 24 hours afterward.
A saliva test can show traces of morphine for up to 4 days and a hair follicle test can show morphine use for up to 90 days after last ingestion.
Morphine and Its Metabolites
Morphine is a powerful analgesic painkiller that is used to treat moderate to severe pain in patients with severe injuries, chronic diseases, and even end-of-life pain.
It is synthesized from the poppy plant to create an intense opioid with multiple uses. Morphine is available by prescription only in various strength tablets but is often used in a healthcare setting as an injection or intravenous solution.
It has a high potential for abuse and can be detected in the urine up to 4 days after the last ingestion but may be detected for a longer period in long-term or heavy users.
The by-products and metabolites that morphine produces can often be detected in the urine long after morphine use has stopped. If you or someone you love is struggling with morphine addiction, get professional help immediately.
