Drugs >  Morphine Sulfate
Morphine Sulfate
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Foreign Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(MOR feen SUL fate)

Brand Names
Astramorph™ PF; Duramorph®; Infumorph™; Kadian™; MS Contin®; MSIR®; Oramorph SR™; RMS®; Roxanol™; Roxanol Rescudose®; Roxanol® T

Foreign Brand Names
Epimorph® (Canada); Morphine-HP® (Canada); MST-Continus® (Mexico); MS-IR® (Canada); Statex® (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories
Analgesic, Narcotic

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to morphine or any other part of the medicine.
  • If you have severe lung disease or increased pressure in the brain.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used to decrease pain.


How does it work?

  • Morphine sulfate binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. The feeling of pain and a person's response to pain are also decreased.


How is it best taken?

  • Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
  • Swallow sustained-release tablet/capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • This is not to be used for pain breakthroughs. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use this liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
  • For suppository, use rectally.
  • Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
  • Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.


What should I monitor?

  • Keep a diary of how well your pain is controlled. If not well controlled, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If no bowel movements in 3 days, talk with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
  • Difficult breathing.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Any rash.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store in a tight, light-resistant containers at room temperature.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


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