Comparing Fentanyl vs Morphine: What's the Difference?

Read on to explore the key differences in symptoms and effects between fentanyl vs morphine, two opioid painkillers used in medical settings.

Fentanyl vs Morphine

Fentanyl and morphine are both types of opioid painkillers that are prescribed to help people manage pain. However, there are multiple differences between fentanyl vs morphine, especially in their chemical structure, potency, and mechanism of action.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was first synthesized in the 1960s. It is a very strong painkiller that is stronger than morphine and also works much faster. It is commonly used in surgical settings or for managing severe pain, such as for cancer patients. Due to its potency, it is only prescribed by doctors for patients with tolerance to other opioids or when other treatments have failed. Fentanyl can be administered through various routes, including transdermal patches, tablets, and injections.

Morphine

Morphine, on the other hand, is a natural opioid that has been used for a much longer period of time. It comes from the poppy plant and is often given to people with moderate to severe pain. Morphine is typically administered through an injection but can also be given orally or by IV drip.

While both drugs are effective painkillers, they have different pharmacological properties. Fentanyl is highly lipophilic, which means it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to the opioid receptors in the brain.

Morphine, however, is less potent than fentanyl, despite its effects lasting longer. It also has a ceiling effect, meaning that increasing the dosage beyond a certain level does not increase pain relief but only increases the risk of side effects.¹

Comparison of Fentanyl vs Morphine

When comparing fentanyl vs morphine, there are several factors to consider, including:²

Mechanism of Action: Both fentanyl and morphine bind to the mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain. However, fentanyl has a faster onset of action and a shorter duration of action than morphine.
Side Effects: Both drugs can cause similar side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and constipation. However, fentanyl has a higher risk of causing respiratory depression, which can lead to respiratory failure and death. It is also more likely to cause sedation, confusion, and hallucinations than morphine.
Risks: Fentanyl is a potent drug that can be dangerous if not used correctly. It is often associated with overdose deaths, especially when used recreationally or combined with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines. Morphine is also associated with a risk of overdose, but it is generally considered safer than fentanyl due to its lower potency.
Prescription and Recreational Use:Both fentanyl and morphine are available only by prescription. However, fentanyl is often used more recreationally than morphine
Addiction and Treatment: Both fentanyl and morphine can be addictive, especially with long-term use, but treatment for opioid addiction is available.

Dangers and Risks of Fentanyl vs Morphine

Fentanyl and morphine are both potent opioids that come with significant risks and dangers. Some common dangers to be aware of include:³

Overdose: One of the most significant dangers of fentanyl vs morphine is the risk of overdose. Taking drugs like fentanyl and morphine can make breathing hard and cause serious health problems like coma and death.
Dependence and Addiction: Fentanyl and morphine are drugs that can be very hard to stop using, as they can cause your brain and body to become dependent on them.
Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person stops using these drugs abruptly after developing a dependence. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and anxiety.
Interactions with Other Substances:Fentanyl vs morphine can interact with other substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, to increase the risk of overdose or respiratory depression.
Tolerance: Tolerance happens when a person needs to take more of the drug to feel the same level of relief from pain. It can increase the risk of side effects and overdose.

Prescription and Recreational Use

Fentanyl and morphine are both potent opioids that are available only by prescription. However, they can also be obtained illegally and used recreationally, leading to a higher risk of addiction, overdose, and other negative consequences.

Prescription Use

Fentanyl and morphine are commonly used in medical settings to treat severe pain, such as after surgery or for cancer-related pain. They are often used when other pain medications are not effective or when a patient has developed a tolerance to other pain medications.

Some signs of prescription drug abuse include taking higher doses than prescribed, visiting multiple doctors to obtain the same medication, and using the medication for reasons other than pain relief.

Treatment for prescription drug abuse usually involves medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy. Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone can help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well.

Recreational Use

Fentanyl and morphine can also be used recreationally for their euphoric effects. However, recreational use of these drugs can still lead to addiction, overdose, and other negative consequences.

Recreational use of fentanyl and morphine is particularly dangerous because these drugs are much more potent than other opioids, such as heroin or oxycodone. Even a small amount of fentanyl or morphine can cause an overdose. Recreational use of these drugs is also associated with a higher risk of developing an addiction.

Treatment Options for Fentanyl vs Morphine

Treatment options for fentanyl vs morphine addiction can be effective but often require a multi-faceted approach. Here are some of the most common treatment options for fentanyl and morphine addiction:⁴

Medical Detoxification: Detox involves gradually reducing the drug dose and managing withdrawal symptoms under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Medical detoxification can help individuals safely and comfortably withdraw from fentanyl and morphine.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT involves using medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications can be combined with behavioral therapy to help individuals achieve and maintain recovery.
Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral Therapy can help individuals identify the underlying causes of their addiction, develop coping skills to avoid relapse and repair relationships damaged by addiction.
Support Groups: Groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals in recovery to share their experiences and receive encouragement and support.
Aftercare: Aftercare can include ongoing counseling or therapy, meetings with a support group, and regular check-ins with a health professional. Aftercare can help individuals maintain their recovery and avoid relapse.

How to Distinguish Fentanyl vs Morphine

Here are some ways to distinguish fentanyl from morphine:

Chemical Structure

Fentanyl and morphine have different chemical structures. Fentanyl is a synthesized opioid, which means it is made in a lab. Morphine, on the other hand, comes from the opium poppy plant and is a natural opioid. Fentanyl is much more powerful than morphine, meaning it can have a greater effect on the body at lower doses.

Dosage

Fentanyl vs morphine also differ in their dosages. Fentanyl is typically prescribed in micrograms, while morphine is prescribed in milligrams. It means that the dosage of fentanyl is much smaller than the dosage of morphine.

Administration

Fentanyl is often administered via a transdermal patch or nasal spray, while morphine is administered via injection or oral tablets. Fentanyl can also be abused by smoking, snorting, or injecting the gel from the transdermal patch.

Onset and Duration of Action

Fentanyl and morphine also differ in their onset and duration of action. Fentanyl has a rapid onset of action, meaning it takes effect quickly, but its effects also wear off quickly. Morphine has a slower onset of action, but its effects last longer.

Fentanyl vs Morphine Substance Misuse: Treatment Opportunities

Substance misuse can devastate individuals and their loved ones. With the right help, you can overcome addiction to fentanyl and morphine.

Essence Healthcare is here to help those struggling with addiction by making the best plan for them. Our doctors and nurses are compassionate and knowledgeable in treating addiction and will help you make a plan that works for you. We offer various different methods to help, such as medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and support groups, so you can choose what works best for you.

Receive Support From Essence Healthcare

At Essence Healthcare, we know that addiction is a complicated problem requiring specialized care. That’s why we provide friendly care that addresses addiction’s physical, emotional, and psychological aspects.

If you or someone you really care about is struggling with fentanyl or morphine addiction, don’t wait to seek help. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting recovery and a healthier, happier life.

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We are a patient-first substance abuse and mental health treatment facility located in Los Angeles, California. At Essence Healthcare, we provide different levels of care from detoxification to drug rehab aftercare. Our team is standing by to address your questions. Your call is confidential and no obligation is required.