Morphine was the first modern opium-derived medication designed to help reduce pain. It was isolated first in 1803 by Friedrich Serturner, a German pharmacist who dubbed his discovery "morphium" as a play on the Greek god Morpheus whose jurisdiction was dreams. It was used extensively for soldiers during the U.S. Civil War and created nearly half a million addicts.
Addiction
Because morphine is derived from opium, it is a powerful narcotic analgesic and produces as its most dangerous side effect addiction to the drug. While morphine is useful in controlling intense pain, the more it's used the more likely it is that a person will become addicted to it. As more is used, the human body builds a tolerance to the medication and continually needs more to get the same level of sensations. Drug addiction often requires drug rehabilitation and therapy to get off the drug, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Digestive
Morphine can produce common side effects in your digestive system. These temporary side effects include vomiting, constipation, nausea and loss of appetite. In some variations of prescription morphine, such as capsules that release the medicine into your system gradually, such side effects as vomiting and nausea can be severe and are serious side effects. If these persist, tell your physician.
Mental
All variations of prescription morphine can cause similar problems to your mental state, including euphoria, hallucinations that can be auditory, sensory or visual, anxiety, restlessness, changes of mood and mental confusion. Some of these, particularly hallucinations, are considered serious side effects and can require medical aid.
Other Side Effects
Morphine also can induce other temporary, nonserious side effects in some people. These might include headaches, lightheadedness, itching, tiredness, agitation, drowsiness, lowered libido, increases in urination frequency, bodily weakness, insomnia, disorientation and sweating. Serious side effects can include seizures, shortness of breath, shock, pain in the chest that happens suddenly, speech slurring, arm swelling and leg swelling, changes of vision and severe dizziness. Call a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
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