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Primary Packaging: Glass ampoule
Pharmaceutical Form: Injectable solution
Volume | Dosage |
1 ml | 50 mg |
1 ml | 100 mg |
Overview:
Morphine is an opiate drug and belongs to the class of narcotic analgesics. It is the primary active ingredient in opium which acts as a pain reliever and produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.
Medical Use:
The medical use of morphine is that it helps with severe pain that other medicines can't relieve. It is given in hospitals to help patients recover after surgery or for those who are very sick. It's also used for people with terminal illnesses to relieve pain and other symptoms. However, it can be addictive, so it needs to be closely monitored.
Side-effects:
When taking morphine, be aware of the possible side effects. It can cause severe breathing problems, especially at the beginning of treatment or when the dosage is increased. Your doctor will watch you closely and adjust your dosage to control your pain and lower the risk of serious breathing problems. If you have trouble breathing or asthma symptoms, tell your doctor right away.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
slow heart rate, sighing, weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops;
chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;
extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;
serotonin syndrome - agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, diarrhea; or
low cortisol levels - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.
Serious breathing problems are more likely found in older adults and people who are debilitated or have a wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.
Common morphine side effects may include:
drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness;
constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
sweating; or
feelings of extreme happiness or sadness.
Drug interactions:
Interaction with Medicine: 530 drugs (198 are major, 318 are moderate, and 14 are minor) Most frequent- Ambien (zolpidem), Ativan (lorazepam), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Colace (docusate), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Haldol (haloperidol), Lasix (furosemide), Lyrica (pregabalin) and many more.
Interaction with Alcohol/Food: 1 alcohol/food interaction
ALL TYPES of Alcohol
Special instructions for the preparation of meals, if your doctor has not told you otherwise, continue to eat normally.
Interaction with Disease: 17 types of disease
Impaired GI motility, Infectious diarrhoea, Liver disease, Prematurity, Acute alcohol intoxication, Drug dependence, Gastrointestinal obstruction, Hypotension, Intracranial pressure, Respiratory depression, Adrenal insufficiency, Biliary spasm, Hypothyroidism, Renal dysfunction, Seizure disorders, Urinary retention, Arrhythmias
Dosing:
Morphine is available in multiple formulations for marketing purposes, which include oral solutions, immediate and extended-release tablets and capsules, suppositories, and injectable preparations.
The regular tablet and liquid are usually taken after every 4 hours.
The long acting tablet is usually taken after every 8-12 hours.
Kadian® brand long-acting capsules are taken every 12 or 24 hours.
Avinza® brand long-acting capsules are usually taken once a day.
For oral dosage form (solution):
**For moderate to severe pain:
Adults—10 to 20 milligrams (mg) every 4 hours as needed. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Notes:
When using morphine, it is crucial to keep in mind several important facts about the medication, including not abruptly stopping its use after taking it continuously for more than five days, refraining from crushing or breaking controlled-release formulations like Oramorph SR, Kadian, and MS Contin, and taking the medication as prescribed without exceeding the recommended dose. Additionally, to reduce the risk of constipation associated with morphine use, it is advisable to maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water.
Citation:
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. “Morphine: MedlinePlus Drug Information” MedlinePlus on February 15, 2021, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682133.html
Patrick B. Murphy; Samuel Bechmann; Michael J. Barrett. “Morphine - StatPearls.” National Institutes of Health on June 20, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526115/
“Morphine and its preparations” London Pain Clinic,https://www.londonpainclinic.com/medication/morphine-and-its-preparations/
“Morphine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action” DrugBank, https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00295
Merative, Micromedex®. “Morphine (Oral Route) Proper Use” Mayo Clinic on May 01, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/morphine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20074216
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