The discovery of morphine in 1803 transformed the medical treatment of pain and chronic disease (Levinthal, 2005). Morphine, a narcotic or opioid, is widely used in the medical field today and is specifically used therapeutically to treat moderate to severe pain in individuals. The most common routes of administration of morphine are oral and intravenous administration (Angel, Gould, Carey, 1998). Morphine works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and therefore reduces pain perception and emotional responses to pain (Weil and Winifred, 2004). The paper will focus on the therapeutic uses of morphine for individuals. Morphine is used to treat pain in patients with cancer and acute myocardial infarction. Morphine is also given to patients after surgery to reduce pain and is even thought to reduce the chances of developing PTSD (Busse, 2006; Herlitz, Hjalmarson, & Waagstein, 1989; Levin, 2010). Administration of morphine to cancer patients According to the World Health Organization, cancer pain can be effectively controlled with oral morphine in up to 90% of cancer patients (Ahmed, et al. 2010). Cancer patients benefit greatly from the effects of morphine on severe or chronic pain (Weil and Winifred 2004). A common treatment plan for cancer patients is to follow the “pain ladder” approach. The first step in this approach is the administration of a non-opioid analgesic, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Hanks, et al., 1996). Second, the individual is given an opioid for a week. Once the weak opioid has proven inadequate, the third phase is followed and a strong opioid is administered. ...... middle of paper ......tic efferent secretion. (Zelis et al., 1974). The capacity of the peripheral vascular bed is increased and there is a reduction in systemic venous return (Vasko, 1966). “Medical withdrawal” is a term commonly used to describe the effects of morphine on pulmonary edema (Vismara, Leaman, & Zelis, 1976). Unfortunately, morphine can have side effects that can lead to central nervous system and ventilator suppression. failure. Additionally, morphine can aggravate bradycardia, hypotension, and, in small cases, respiratory depression. Naloxone is given to patients to help reverse these negative effects of morphine. With large doses of morphine, nausea and vomiting are potential side effects and can be treated with a phenothiazine. For these reasons, morphine continues to be researched for the treatment of pulmonary edema (Cotter, et al., 2001).