Diamorphine

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > D



How does it work?

Diamorphine hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally occurring pain reducing chemicals (endorphins). They combine with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt. This group of medicines is commonly used to relieve the pain of heart attack, injury, surgery and cancers.

What is it used for?

- Fluid accumulation in the air-filled sacs of the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
- Severe pain

Warning!

- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

Use with caution in

- Asthma
- Breathing problems
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Diarrhoea
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
- Elderly people
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Epilepsy
- Head injury
- Hypothyroidism
- Increased pressure in the brain (raised intracranial pressure)
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
- Insufficient production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency)
- Intoxication induced by the rapid ingestion of alcoholic drinks (acute alcoholism)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Psychosis due to drugs or alcohol
- Reduced awareness, slow reactions or drowsiness due to medicines or illness that reduce activity in the central nervous system
- Symptom of hypothyroidism characterised by dry, hard swelling of the skin

Not to be used in

- Biliary and renal tract spasm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Head injury
- People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

- This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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