Page 36 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

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A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

COMMON MYTHS

About Morphine in Palliative Care

• Myth 1: Morphine is given only when • Myth 6: Morphine makes everyone
death is near. sleepy all the time.
Reality: Morphine is prescribed for moderate Reality: Mild drowsiness may occur initially,
to severe pain or breathlessness based on but many patients become more alert
clinical need, not only prognosis. Some once pain is controlled and they can sleep
patients use it for months or years with good properly.
symptom control.
• Myth 7: Morphine is only for cancer
• Myth 2: Every patient who takes patients.
morphine becomes addicted. Reality: Morphine may also be used for severe
Reality: When used appropriately under pain or breathlessness in advanced heart
medical supervision, addiction is uncommon. failure, chronic lung disease, neurological
Physical dependence and tolerance are disorders and other serious illnesses.
physiological responses and are not the same
as addiction. • Myth 8: If morphine is started early,
there will be nothing stronger left later.
• Myth 3: Morphine reduces survival. Reality: Morphine dosing is individualised and
Reality: When started at the right dose and can be adjusted according to need. Pain relief
titrated carefully, morphine relieves pain and depends on careful titration, not on saving
breathlessness without shortening life. the medicine for later.

• Myth 4: Morphine should be kept as the • Myth 9: Morphine always causes
last option. dangerous respiratory depression.
Reality: Delaying morphine unnecessarily can Reality: Respiratory depression is rare when
prolong suffering. It should be started when morphine is started at appropriate doses
pain severity and clinical assessment indicate and increased gradually under medical
its need. supervision.

• Myth 5: Once morphine is started, it can • Myth 10: Taking morphine means the
never be stopped. disease is getting worse.
Reality: Doses can be increased, reduced, Reality: Morphine treats symptoms. Its
switched or discontinued depending on the use reflects the need for better pain or
patient’s condition and symptom levels. breathlessness control, not necessarily
disease progression.

As medicine advances, the true measure of healthcare is not only how well disease is treated, but also
how well suffering is relieved. In palliative care, morphine is not a symbol of giving up. It is a symbol
of caring: helping patients rest, speak, eat, spend meaningful time with family and live each day with
greater comfort. Its untold story lies in the pain it eases, the dignity it protects and the humanity it

helps preserve when it matters most.

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