Morphine is an opioid agonist used for the relief of moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. Morphine, the main alkaloid of opium, was first obtained from poppy seeds in 1805.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 4 references
Morphine-6-glucuronide is responsible for approximately 85% of the response observed by morphine administration. Morphine and its metabolites act as agonists of the mu and kappa opioid receptors. The mu-opioid receptor is integral to morphine's effects on the ventral tegmental area of the brain. Morphine's activation of the reward pathway is mediated by agonism of the delta-opioid receptor in the nucleus accumbens, while modification of the respiratory system and addiction disorder are mediated by agonism of the mu-opioid receptor.
- Primary indication
- Morphine is used for the management of chronic, moderate to severe pain.Curator reviewed · 5 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C17H19NO3 · 285.3377 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1984
- Also known as
- morfin · Morphia · Morphium
- Code names
- IDS-NM-009 · N02AA01
- Brand names
Resolves to
BQJCRHHNABKAKU-KBQPJGBKSA-NSMILES[H][C@@]12OC3=C(O)C=CC4=C3[C@@]11CCN(C)[C@]([H])(C4)[C@]1([H])C=C[C@@H]2OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 12, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Morphine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
Create a free account or log in to explore the full data card.
Create Account