[Opiates on the upswing--are there really unproblematic?]

Although morphine is known for almost 200 years as analgesic a considerable resistance is encountered regarding its use and prescription. This may only in part derive from cultural and political reasons mainly, however, from the widespread but usually unfounded fear of side effects. This article tries to put these fears in perspective. Morphine is a hardly toxic drug in the hands of the clinician aware of the side effects and willing to search for them. Possibilities how to avoid side effects and alternatives to morphine are proposed.