Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

I/T morphine

Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system to produce analgesia and sedation.

Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system to produce analgesia and sedation. Used for Chronic pain management via intrathecal delivery, Cancer pain, Post-operative pain.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Morphine is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier when administered intrathecally (I/T), allowing direct action on spinal cord opioid receptors to block pain signal transmission. This route of administration provides potent analgesia at lower systemic doses compared to oral or intravenous routes, reducing systemic side effects while achieving high local concentrations at the site of pain processing.

Approved indications

• Chronic pain management via intrathecal delivery
• Cancer pain
• Post-operative pain

Common side effects

• Respiratory depression
• Pruritus
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urinary retention
• Hypotension
• Constipation

Key clinical trials

• E7 TCR T Cells for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Dexmedetomidine in the Treatment of Symptoms Of Acute Opioid Withdrawal (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Analgesic Effect of Morphine Added to Transverses Abdominis Plane Block (NA)
• Methadone, Morphine, or Oxycodone in Treating Pain in Patients With Cancer (NA)
• Postoperative Pain Relief Following Total Hip Arthroplasty. A Comparison Between Intrathecal Morphine (IM) and Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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