Morphine is predominantly eliminated through glucuronidation by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7, thus morphine clearance directly reflects the formation of its two major metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). The metabolites are cleared through renal elimination.
Morphine metabolism (glucuronidation) appears to increase exponentially with bodyweight in the first 3 years of life, with a major increase 10 days after birth (Knibbe 2009). It is hypothesized that the lack of uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid may explain the reduced morphine metabolism during the first week of life (Liu 2019). The age at which 50% abundance is achieved for UGT2B7 is calculated to be 2.8 years of age (Bhatt 2019). Morphine clearance shows substantial variability in neonates, infants and children (Euteneuer 2020, Krekels 2012, Altamini 2015, Elkomy 2016 ). Uniformity between values for volume of distribution is reported irrespective of age of the neonates and children (mean value 2.8±2.6 l/kg) (Kart 1997).
|
Age |
Bioavailability (%) |
Distribution (L/kg) |
Metabolism |
Half-life (h) |
Elimination (mL/min/kg) |
|
Preterm |
- |
1.82-5.2 (Allegaert 2007, Pacifici 2016) |
Glucuronidation primarily to M3G (Anand 2008) |
6.6-11.1 (Allegaert 2007, Pacifici 2016) |
2.3-7.8 (Allegaert 2007, Cote 2009) |
|
Term neonates (0-30 days) |
Oral 44.3 (Liu 2016) |
5.15±2.6 (Liu 2016) |
Glucuronidation to M3G, M6G (Anand 2008) |
3.91±1 (Kart 1997) 6.5±2.8 (Cote 2009) |
9.2 (Kart 1997) 6.78-17.1* (Krekels 2012) |
|
Infants |
Rectal 35 (Lundeberg 1996) |
2 (Bouwmeester 2003) 2.8±2.6 (Bouwmeester 2003) |
- |
1.15±2.4 (Olkkola 1988) |
5.2 (Simons 2006) 7.8-69.4 (Krekels 2012) |
|
Children (1-18 years) |
Oral 29.8 (Liu 2016) |
3.17-3.76 (Bouwmeester 2003) |
- |
0.76±1 (Simons 2006) |
1-3 years 25.6-32.2* (Krekels 2012) 12-60 (Krekels 2012) 23.6±8.5 (Cote 2009) |
|
Adults |
Oral 19-74 (Lugo 2002) |
2.1-4.0 (Lugo 2002) |
- |
2-4 (Lugo 2002) |
20-30 (Lugo 2002) |
Thigpen 2019
* Determined with popPK models
Oral and rectal bioavailability is unreliable (15-50%). Bioavailability of retard tablet is 40-70%. Bioavailability decreases with increasing strength.
If retard tablet is broken, morphine is released 20-25% faster. The duration of action is then about 8 hours.
Special populations
Mechanical ventilation appears to be of influence of morphine metabolite formation and elimination, with a reported decrease up to 30% in patients requiring mechanical ventilation with a duration greater than or equal to 10 days (Thigpen 2019). Morphine clearance may be reduced in neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia (Favie 2020, Favie 2019, Frymoyer 2017, Roka 2008).
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| Severe pain |
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| Severe pain: administration via PCA pump |
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| Respiratory Distress in Palliative Care |
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In cases of reduced renal function, the active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide accumulates. This is especially important when administering high doses and/or over a longer period.
Source: Pediatric Drug Book – Kidney Disease Program.
Symptoms of opioid toxicity include depression of the central nervous system with consciousness lowered to coma, respiratory depression or irregular breathing pattern, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, hyporeflexia, miosis, urinary retention, nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, muscle spasms and convulsions.
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The complete list of all undesirable drug reactions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here
Respiratory depression, hypotension, urinary retention, vomiting, obstipation, itching.
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The complete list of all contra-indications can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here
No information available on specific contra indications in children.
The complete list of all warnings and precautions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here
In children of 1 to 6 months (born full-term), premature babies up to the age of 1 year, monitoring of the respiration is needed if there are airway, kidney/liver or neuromuscular conditions or in concomitant use of sedatives.
For chronic pain treatment, always prescribe slow-release morphine together with a laxative.
Do not grind up the slow-release tablets.
Too rapid intravenous administration may increase the frequency of side effects. Administer very slowly in children (SmPC).
When postoperative respiratory depression occurs, naloxone IV can be administrated (see naloxone monograph ).
In children with obesity, ideal body weight is recommended instead of total body weight for morphine dosing ((Ross 2015, NHS 2021)).
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The complete list of all interactions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here
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