Oralmorph

[flump1]

Hi all, I am going through a bad painful time right now and I have been prescribed some Oralmorph. It seems to help with the pain even if it does leave me fatigued . I have been taking it since Monday and today I have been scratching like a banshee all day. Itchy skin everywhere , most unpleasant. Now I wonder if any of you good people have had the experience of taking Oralmorph who might be able to tell me if these itches are going to be there for the duration or might they lessen ?

[tinkerbell23]

Im not an expert...but i think you should take regular antihisthamines for the itch....its a common side effect of morphine xxxx

(watch the old bowels too) xx

[flump1]

Ok Tinks, thanks for that x

[Nibble]

I was prescribed oralmorph whilst in hospital earlier this year, and it does make you vv drowsy, but I'd have a word with GP/occy therapist re the itching..

http://pain.emedtv.co...-side-effects-p2.html

Specifically,It is common to develop non-allergic itching due to morphine (the active ingredient in Oramorph SR). Morphine causes a release of histamine, resulting in itching unrelated to any allergy. If you develop itching and do not experience any other allergy symptoms, it is unlikely that you are allergic to Oramorph SR. However, you should still tell your healthcare provider, as there are medications available to help relieve the itching.

[flump1]

Thanks for that nibble. It is so nice to be pain free...only to be itchy !!

[tinkerbell23]

On the wards...it is actual piriton they give! So mabye theyll prescribe that for you....

As a massive hayfever sufferer i cannot reccomend highly enough the fast acting benadryl capsules...work in 15mins.... For when i am about to claw my eyeballs out LOL xxx

[SMP]

My husband takes Oramorph regularly and he always itches and goes a bit red.

[Sqad]

I agree with the posters that this is a non allergic reaction to Oramorph and you will need to adapt to the itching which should settle.

I would advice against taking antihistamines with Oramorph as the itching is non allergic and there are well recorded cases of antihistamines interacting with the drug lessening it's pain killing effect.

[rowanwitch]

Try cooling the skin a water sprayer on the finest mist setting helps and protect your skin with some aqueous cream or e45 as the scratching just makes it worse. if the itching extends to more sensitive places a little local anaesthetic gel helps some patients get the itch in their bits and round teir bum...itching up in the nose and in the ears is a pain too

[flump1]

Thanks for the answers , I don't really want to take antihistamine as I take enough as it is. Oralmorph hopefully has been given while this pain is acute, I am hoping the pain subsides soon. Touch wood, my bits are not itchy, it is my head ears arms and legs fingers and toes. I look like I have a bad case of mange .

[anneasquith]

flump, im pleased to hear your medication is controling your pain, but as a sufferer of pruritis at times, why not give your pharmacist a ring for some advice.