Morphine Oral

Uses 
This medication is used to treat severe pain. Morphine is a narcotic pain reliever. It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief.

How to use Morphine Oral

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 hours. Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking the liquid, measure the correct dose using the medication measuring device provided. Do not use a household spoon. Be careful not to confuse the dose of morphine liquid in milligrams (mg) with the dose in milliliters (mL). Morphine liquid comes in several strengths. Be sure that you get the correct strength each time you refill your prescription.

If you have nausea, you may take this drug with food, although this may cause your body to absorb less of the drug and get less benefit from it. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (e.g., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with as little head movement as possible).

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pain medications work best if they are used when the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., shakiness, sweating, nausea) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug. To prevent withdrawal reactions when stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Though very unlikely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Tell your doctor if your pain persists or worsens after 24 hours when first starting this medication or after a dose change.

Before taking morphine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other pain medicines (e.g., codeine); or to sulfites (found in certain brands); or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.g., respiratory depression, asthma attack), certain bowel diseases (e.g., paralytic ileus, toxic megacolon, acute abdomen), intoxication with medications that depress the nervous system or your breathing (brain/respiratory depressants such as alcohol or tranquilizers/sedatives), heart rhythm problems, heart failure due to long-term lung disease, brain disorders (e.g., head injury/tumor, increased intracranial pressure), uncontrolled seizures, a certain type of infectious diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures, lung diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, low oxygen in the blood, high carbon dioxide in the blood), low blood pressure, alcohol withdrawal, disease of the pancreas (e.g., pancreatitis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., toxic psychosis), a certain spinal problem (kyphoscoliosis), gallbladder disease, personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison's disease), difficulty urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate or urethral stricture), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), sleep apnea.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or taking part in any other activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase the risk of side effects.

To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Liquid forms of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slow/shallow breathing, low blood pressure, and drowsiness.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have used this medication for an extended time may have withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow breathing, slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness, bluish skin/lips/nails.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

MISSED DOSE:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, and drink plenty of water. If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help with selecting a laxative (e.g., stimulant-type with stool softener).

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, confusion), vision changes, flushing of the face, slow/irregular heartbeat, fainting, loss of appetite, trouble starting the flow of urine, decreased sexual interest/ability.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in the amount of urine, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: naltrexone.

If you are currently using this medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting morphine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other medications for pain, beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), warfarin, rifampin, cimetidine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (e.g., methocarbamol), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.