Morphine

Generic name: Morphine

Drug class: Opioids

Dosage forms: Capsule, Tablet, Solution

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: Capsule, extended release (10 mg/12 to 24 hr; 100 mg/12 to 24 hr; 120 mg/24 hours; 20 mg/12 to 24 hr; 30 mg/12 to 24 hr; 30 mg/24 hours; 45 mg/24 hours; 50 mg/12 to 24 hr; 60 mg/12 to 24 hr; 60 mg/24 hours; 75 mg/24 hours; 80 mg/12 to 24 hr; 90 mg/24 hours), oral concentrate (20 mg/mL), oral solution (10 mg/0.5 mL; 10 mg/5 mL; 20 mg/5 mL), oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg), oral tablet, extended release (100 mg/8 to 12 hr; 15 mg/8 to 12 hr; 200 mg/8 to 12 hr; 30 mg/8 to 12 hr; 60 mg/8 to 12 hr)

Mechanism of action: Morphine is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. Morphine tablets can be used as needed in adults and children that weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kg). Morphine belongs to a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

Drug usage cases: The extended release forms of morphine are for around-the-clock treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Extended-release tablets and capsules should not be used to treat pain that can be controlled by medication that is taken as needed. Morphine oral solution can be used as needed in adults and children at least 2 years old. Some forms of the oral solution are only used in adults.

Drug contra indications: You should not take this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to morphine or other opioid medicines, or if you have:

severe asthma or breathing problems, a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus); or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. To make sure morphine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder, a head injury, brain tumor, high pressure inside the skull, or seizures, a drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness, urination problems, problems with your bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, thyroid, or adrenal gland; or liver or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, other opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with morphine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to morphine: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur, especially if you drink alcohol or use other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Morphine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop), chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out; or decreased adrenal gland hormones – nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light-headed, muscle or joint pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods. Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Warnings: You should not take morphine if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. Morphine can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEAT, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Fatal side effects can occur if you use morphine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Taking opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withd rawal symptoms in the newborn. Morphine may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use morphine during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks. Long-term morphine use may affect fertility in men or women. Pregnancy could be harder to achieve while either parent is using this medicine. Do not breastfeed. Morphine in breast milk can cause life-threatening side effects in a nursing baby.