Azvina

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Azvina is a brand name of the generic morphine sulfate. Azvina is an opioid (narcotic) analgesic intended for long-term use. Azvina is prescribed for severe pain requiring constant and ongoing, long-term pain management. It is used when other opioid therapies have been deemed inadequate.

Opioid receptors are activated exogenously by alkaloid opiates, the standard example of which is morphine. Morphine (Azvina), as an opioid agonist, interacts primarily with the mu opioid receptor, but at higher doses also interacts with the delta and kappa receptors. In addition to pain relief, other effects of Azvina (morphine) include drowsiness, mood changes, respiratory depression, and modification within the endocrine and autonomic nervous system.

Azvina comes in a capsule containing beads of morphine. It is available in extended-release and immediate release forms in 30 mg, 45 mg, 60 mg, 75 mg, 90 mg, and 120 mg strengths. It is also administered by Intravenous injection.

Azvina Street Names

Some street names used for for this drug are interchangeable with morphine in general (e.g. Morf).

  • Morf
  • Miss Emma
  • Unkie
  • Morph
  • Emsel
  • Dreamer

Drug Classification

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has classified Azvina as a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

The FDA has issued this warning: “AZVINA CAPSULES ARE TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CAPSULES SPRINKLED ON APPLESAUCE. THE CAPSULE BEADS ARE NOT TO BE CHEWED, CRUSHED, OR DISSOLVED DUE TO THE RISK OF RAPID RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL DOSE OF MORPHINE. PATIENTS MUST NOT CONSUME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE ON AZVINA THERAPY. ADDITIONALLY, PATIENTS MUST NOT USE PRESCRIPTION OR NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS CONTAINING ALCOHOL WHILE ON AZVINA THERAPY. CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING AZVINA MAY RESULT IN THE RAPID RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL DOSE OF MORPHINE.”

Effects of Use

Immediately noticeable effects:

  • Pain relief
  • Euphoria
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Itchiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

History

Opiates have been used for pain relief from ca. 330-1453 A.D. but morphine its self was discovered in 1842. It was discovered by Friedrich Sertrner. Morphine was employed as an analgesic and a treatment for alcohol, or opium, addiction.

Morphine became heavy used during the civil war which introduced drug addiction to many soldiers. This addiction was labeled the “Soldiers Disease”. Morphine became a controlled substance in 1914. In 1952 Dr. Marshall Gates patented his process of synthesizing morphine from petroleum products. In 2003 endogenous Morphine was found naturally occurring in the human body.

Signs of abuse

Physical and psychological dependence is manifested by withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation of Azvina. Physical dependence and increased tolerance are not unusual during Azvina/morphine therapy due to the chronic/long-term nature of treatment. Some signs of addiction are:

  • Refusal to undergo routine examinations
  • Statement of repeated loss of prescriptions
  • Physical tampering of prescriptions
  • Fixation with getting medication
  • Confusion
  • Irritability & agitation
  • Headache

Withdrawal

Onset of opiate Withdrawal Syndrome is normally seen within 6-12 hours of last dose.

Major symptoms of Azvina withdrawal last anywhere from 48 to 96 hours. Symptoms usually resolve within 10 to 12 days. The length and severity of withdrawal depends upon the dosage to which the body has built a tolerance.

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are characterized by some, or all, of the following:

  • Watery eye
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Tremors
  • Sweating – chills
  • Respiratory depression
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea

Treatment

As soon as the psychological and physical influences of Azvina are minimized through a careful process of first tapering the Azvina/morphine dosage. This is often accomplished with a decreased dose of morphine. Detoxification may be the next step, or may be entered into without the tapering of the drug if the patient’s tolerance has not met a high threshold and the addiction is in an early phase where detoxification can be managed safely. Counseling sessions and behavior modification therapy provide a proven way to treat Azvina/morphine addiction. Therapy typically initiates in a residential setting to ensure the patient is stabilized and is ready to begin the recovery process.

Azvina withdrawal can be successfully managed by a specialized treatment facility. If you, or someone you know, have a problem with addiction please call any of our drug rehab treatment centers for further information. To locate a facility in your area that can provide the assistance you need, call 877-855-3470.

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