This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Diacetylmorphine

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Diamorphine hydrochloride is a morphine derivative, with antitussive and analgesic properties used in the relief of cough and pain in terminal disease. It is contraindicated in other situations because of its addictive properties, and its tendency to cause sputum retention and ventilatory failure.

It is more potent than morphine, causes less nausea and hypotension, and its greater solubility allows effective doses to be given in smaller injected volumes - this property is useful in the emaciated patient.

Its capacity to produce euphoria gives it great potential for causing dependence. Tolerance develops: an increased dose is needed to produce pleasurable effects. It is usually bought in a brownish powder, and is smoked - "chasing the dragon" - or dissolved in acid for injection.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page