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Diamorphine

  • Diamorphine is used to treat severe pain.
  • Nausea, vomiting or constipation may occur with this medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to take with diamorphine to help with these side effects.
  • Diamorphine can cause drowsiness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.

About diamorphine

Type of medicine Analgesic
Used for Pain
Also called No other names are commonly used for diamorphine
Available as Tablets and injection.

Diamorphine is used to treat severe pain sometimes caused by cancer. It is especially useful for easing pain before, during and after an operation.

Before taking diamorphine

Before taking diamorphine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from liver, kidney, respiratory (breathing), prostate or thyroid problems.
  • If you suffer from epilepsy or hypotension (low blood pressure).
  • If you have recently suffered a serious head injury.
  • If you have been constipated for more than a week, with or without tummy pain and bloatedness.
  • If you suffer from phaeochromocytoma (a tumour on the adrenal glands).
  • If you have ever had a problem with addiction to drugs or alcohol.

How to take diamorphine

  • Diamorphine is usually given as an injection by your nurse or doctor.
  • Your doctor may give you a second pain killer to take when you need.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and be aware of its effects on you.
  • Diamorphine can cause constipation. Constipation can often be eased by eating plenty of fibre, such as wholegrain cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables and drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day.
  • Diamorphine can cause nausea and vomiting; your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicines to help.
  • Because diamorphine is a controlled drug, if you are planning a trip abroad, check with the government department HM Revenue and Customs to see if you need any documentation for your medicine. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a list of medicines that contain controlled drugs and can tell you the amount that you are allowed to take abroad. If you need to pack more of your medicine than you are allowed you will need to apply in writing for a licence from the Home Office before you travel.

Can diamorphine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If vomiting continues to be a problem speak to your doctor.
Constipation Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. If constipation continues to be a problem speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Drowsiness, dizziness Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert and feel dizzy.
Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness
Dry mouth Try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking pieces of ice or sugar-free sweets. If this becomes troublesome speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Sweating Use a cold/wet flannel or sponge placed on the forehead.
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.

Other less common side effects may include flushing (redness of the face), a fast or fluttering heartbeat, seeing or hearing things that aren't real, mood changes, sexual problems, itching or skin rashes, difficulty urinating (passing water), speak with your doctor if any of these become a problem.

How to store diamorphine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3384		 DocRef:
dils2410		 Last Updated:
15 Jan 2007		 Date of Next Review:
14 Jan 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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