Morphine Sulfate

💊 What is Morphine Sulfate used for?

• •The label says it is used to manage pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment, when alternative treatment options are inadequate. The label says it is not meant as an as-needed pain medicine.

How it works

The label describes morphine sulfate as an opioid agonist. It does not give further detail about how it works in the body.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to swallow the tablets whole. Do not cut, break, chew, crush, dissolve, snort, or inject them. Take the medicine at regular intervals as directed by your prescriber. Do not change your dose on your own. Do not stop taking it without talking to your prescriber. If the dose does not control your pain, call your prescriber. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •15 mg extended-release tablets (round, blue-colored, film-coated)
• •30 mg extended-release tablets (round, purple-colored, film-coated)
• •60 mg extended-release tablets (round, light orange-colored, film-coated)
• •100 mg extended-release tablets (round, gray-colored, film-coated)
• •200 mg extended-release tablets (oval, green-colored, film-coated)

⚠️ Morphine Sulfate side effects

🛑 Who should not take Morphine Sulfate, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨The label says not to take this medicine if you have significant breathing problems (respiratory depression).
• 🚨The label says not to take it if you have severe asthma, trouble breathing, or other lung problems, especially acute or severe asthma without monitoring or emergency equipment available.
• 🚨The label says not to take it if you have a known or suspected bowel blockage or narrowing of the stomach or intestines.
• 🚨The label says not to take it if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken them within the last 14 days.
• 🚨The label says not to take it if you are allergic to morphine.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of head injury or seizures.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver, kidney, or thyroid problems.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems urinating.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have pancreas or gallbladder problems.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of abuse of street or prescription drugs, alcohol addiction, opioid overdose, or mental health problems.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if your pain is getting worse, or if you feel more sensitive to pain.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you use.

🔀 Morphine Sulfate with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants (such as sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, and some antipsychotics): combining them can increase the risk of low blood pressure, breathing problems, deep sedation, coma, and death.
• •Other opioid medicines: combining them can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
• •Alcohol: the label says alcohol can cause overdose and death when used with this medicine.
• •Serotonergic drugs (such as certain antidepressants, triptans, and some muscle relaxants): combining them has resulted in serotonin syndrome.
• •MAOIs: the label says not to use this medicine with MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping them.
• •Mixed agonist/antagonist and partial agonist opioid pain medicines: the label says these may reduce the pain-relieving effect of morphine or cause withdrawal symptoms. The rest of this section was not included in the text provided.
• •Street drugs: the label says taking them with this medicine can cause serious side effects.

Alcohol and food

The label says not to drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol while taking this medicine, because it may cause overdose and death. The provided label text does not include specific food instructions.

🤰 Morphine Sulfate in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says prolonged use during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn that could be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. The label says there are no available data in pregnant women to show the risk of major birth defects or miscarriage with morphine sulfate. Published studies have not reported a clear link between morphine and major birth defects. Animal studies showed effects at certain exposures. Talk with your healthcare provider about your pregnancy plans.

Breastfeeding

The label says breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with morphine sulfate, because it may harm your baby.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store the tablets at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep them securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a place not accessible to others, including visitors. The label says to keep them in a tight, light-resistant container. To dispose of unused tablets, take them to an authorized DEA-registered collector or drug take-back program. If none is available, the label gives a method of mixing them with dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds, sealing them in a plastic bag, and throwing the bag in the trash. More information is at www.fda.gov/drugdisposal.

If a dose is missed

The label says that if you miss a dose, take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take more than your prescribed dose. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions about missed doses.

If too much is taken

The label says that an overdose can cause slowed or stopped breathing, extreme sleepiness progressing to stupor or coma, muscle limpness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, and in some cases death. Get emergency help or call 911 right away if you think someone has taken too much. The label says to talk to your healthcare provider about naloxone, a medicine for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Morphine Sulfate

• How do I know if my pain is severe enough to need this kind of medicine?
• What should I do if my pain is not controlled by my current dose?
• Should I have naloxone at home, and how do I use it?
• What activities should I avoid until I know how this medicine affects me?
• Which of my other medicines, supplements, or alcohol could be unsafe with this one?
• What should I do if I think I have taken too much or someone else took it by accident?
• How and when should a plan for stopping this medicine be made, and what should I watch for?

❓ Morphine Sulfate: frequently asked questions