Overview: Morphine is used to treat short-term and long-term pain when other medicines are not enough. It keeps you from feeling pain. Common side effects include constipation, itching, dizziness, and drowsiness. Talk to your healthcare provider if you get confused or feel like your pain is getting worse instead of better. Morphine comes in several forms, including a tablet, capsule, liquid, and suppository.
Uses
What is morphine used for?
Morphine is an opioid pain medicine that is used to treat acute and chronic pain when other treatments are not working.
Morphine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does morphine work (mechanism of action)?
Morphine works on receptors throughout the body to help keep you from feeling pain.
How is morphine supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Avinza
- Duramorph PF
- Infumorph
- Kadian
- Mitigo
- MS Contin
- Roxanol
Dosage forms and strengths
- 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 75 mg, 80 mg, 90 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg extended-release oral capsules
- 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 10 mg/5 mL, 20 mg/5 mL, 100 mg/5 mL oral solution
- 15 mg, 30 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg rectal suppository
Morphine is also available in injectable forms.
How should I store morphine?
Morphine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of morphine?
The most common side effects of morphine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness and sleepiness (see below)
- Sweating
- Itching
There may be other side effects of morphine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of morphine?
While less common, the most serious side effects of morphine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing morphine can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means using a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Use morphine exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that morphine is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency department if you experience any of the following serious symptoms:
- Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
- Feeling paranoid
- Suicidal thought or actions
- Seizures
- Trouble breathing
Breathing Problems. Morphine may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing, especially when you start morphine or when your dose is increased. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
- Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
Reduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of morphine can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
- Low blood pressure
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Morphine may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Feeling confused or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
Increased Pain Sensitivity (Hyperalgesia). Morphine can cause an increased sensitivity to pain. It can cause things that normally cause pain to feel more painful than usual. Morphine can also cause allodynia. This happens when things that normally do not cause pain, such as wearing glasses or brushing your hair, become painful. If your pain increases, do not use extra doses of morphine. This could cause you to overdose or develop other serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if your pain increases, you feel more sensitive to pain, or if you develop pain in other areas of the body.
Dizziness and Sleepiness. Morphine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how morphine affects you.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Morphine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using morphine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use morphine?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use morphine.
- Morphine
- Arymo
- Avinza
- Kadian
- MS Contin
- Morphabond
- Oramorph
- Roxanol
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific morphine products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Morphine should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before using morphine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Gut Blockage. Morphine should not be used if you have a blockage of your gut (bowel obstruction) or a narrowing of the stomach or intestines.
Slowed Gut Movement. Paralytic ileus is a type of ileus where your intestines are unable to move food through them. You should not use morphine if you have slowed gut movement.
Breathing Problems. Morphine should not be used if you have severe asthma, trouble breathing, or other lung problems.
What should I know about morphine before using it?
Do not use morphine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Keep morphine out of the reach of children. Morphine is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store morphine in a safe place to protect it from theft. It’s illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
Do not crush, chew, or open morphine extended-release tablets or capsules. Extended-release tablets and capsules should only be taken on a regular, scheduled basis. Do not take them only when needed.
Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.
Morphine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how morphine affects you.
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should keep naloxone with you. Naloxone is a medicine that is used for the emergency treatment of an overdose.
Do not stop using morphine without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping morphine too quickly can cause serious withdrawal effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Feeling restless
- Watery eyes or runny nose
- Yawning
- Sweating or chills
- Muscle, joint, or back pain
- Dilated pupils
- Irritability, anxiety, or trouble sleeping
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Increase in blood pressure, breathing rate, or heart rate
Long-term use of morphine may affect your ability to become pregnant or get a partner pregnant. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
If you need to dispose of morphine, take it to an authorized DEA-registered collector or a medication take-back program. If this is not available to you, flush it down the toilet. Do not throw it in the trash.
People who are 65 years and older may be at greater risk for some side effects from morphine. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using morphine?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if morphine is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Other Current and Past Health Conditions.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- History of head injury
- Seizures
- Problems peeing
- Liver or kidney problems
- Thyroid problems
- Pancreas or gallbladder problems
- History of misusing of street or prescription medicines
- Live with someone who has a history of misusing street or prescription medicines
- History of opioid overdose
- Mental health problems
Pregnancy. Morphine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use morphine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Using morphine for a long time while you are pregnant can cause withdrawal symptoms in your newborn baby which can be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you took morphine during your pregnancy, especially near the end of your pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Morphine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use morphine while breastfeeding. Monitor your baby for drowsiness and slowed breathing if you are breastfeeding while using morphine, and don’t stop morphine without telling your healthcare provider.
Interactions
Does morphine interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between morphine and foods or drinks.
Avoid alcohol when using morphine. Alcohol can increase the risk of confusion, drowsiness, and breathing problems when combined with morphine.
Does morphine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescriptions or over-the counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using morphine.
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
- A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
- An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
- A mixed agonist/antagonist or partial agonist opioid analgesic, such as buprenorphine (Butrans, Sublocade), butorphanol, and others, which is used to treat certain types of pain or opioid use disorder
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of morphine. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with morphine. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much morphine?
If you or someone else has used too much morphine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of morphine?
If you miss a dose, use the next dose at your usual time. Do not use double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Morphine?
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