If a little one (say 12 months) is given morphine, are there any side effects to watch out for. Or at least any helpful hints to help their little bodies process it?
Although it is a wonderful thing to be able to use it to deal with pain (thank god) I can't imagine it is great for the system as a whole so would like some advice for a friend to help her LO be in the least amount of discomfort possible.
Am I right in thinking it can cause constipation - therefore using something like metamucil or parachoc might be a good idea??
yep constipation is a huge one, but a one off dose shouldn't cause any drama but long term use it would need to be managed for comfort of the child.
Nausea is a huge one, I can't have morphine at all because my vomiting is hard to manage. Make sure they have a backup plan of some maxolon at least in case.
Can also cause crazy itching. It does settle though.
Maxalon is contrindicated in children under 16 as it can cause a kind of seizure, so if you ask for that it will be refused. Morphine can make people drowsy and it can make peoples respiration rate slow down and in the case of an overdose it can stop breathing. Morphine given to a child will be monitored fairly carefully. they will often give small doses more regularly to make sure they don't give to much. If there is still pain you cannot overdose because the pain receptors will tae up the morphine and therefore none will be left over to be floating in the blood and effecting other receptors as the pain receptors will get priority if that makes sense.
It is true that morphine can slow down the gut so you can get more constipation, drinking enough water will help, however like Kim said having one dose won't do that.
I don't know what a LO is btw... can you enlighten me?
It is a one off dose I believe so I guess there is not too much to worry about as long as they have the nausea in hand. I'm glad it is not ongoing as I am aware of how easily constipation can turn into a major deal in toddlers if it is not dealt with.
I hope they don't have to deal with the itching though as it was given for a burn.
ETA: Posted at the same time Bella29, LO is Little One.
Thanks also for your advice. I am sure my friend got great advice at the hospital, I just know that sometimes little things can be missed that may make their little boy more comfy and I wanted to help if I could.
They will often give intra-nasal fentanyl to little ones as well as an alternative to morphine. Morphine has to be given as an injection or through the vein. Fentanyl can be given through a squirt up the nose as well so it doesn't hurt and it is easy to give.
Similar side effects but less with the nasal route.
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Morphine for a LO
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