Morphine Tables:

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability Peak plasma level Plasma half-life Active metabolites Elimination
great variability 30% (10-50%) 1 hour 3 hours (1 to 5 hours) potentially important predominantly extrarenal
Above indications refer to oral administration of non-slow-release morphine. Maximal effect with slow-release preparations can be expected only after 2 to 3 hours, whereas they can be expected after 20 minutes already with an i.v. injection. Presystemic metabolism is different from individual to individual when administered orally.

Dose
Indication Administration
Initial loading dose
Dose Interval
Maintenance dose
Dose Interval
acute pain* s.c./i.m. 5-15 mg 4 hours - -
tumour pains oral 10-30 mg 4 to 6 hours up to 100 mg** 4 hours**
*Parenteral therapy (maybe even 2-10 mg slowly i.v.) can be continued for two to three days for the treatment of acute pain
**For long-term treatmen,t oral liquid and slow-release tablets (30-200 mg every 12 hours) are suitable.

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