- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Morphine
GENERIC NAME(S): MORPHINE SULFATE
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): MS-IR
Uses: This medication is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain. Morphine belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opiate) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
Morphine
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): MS-IR
GENERIC NAME(S): MORPHINE SULFATE
Uses
This medication is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain. Morphine belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opiate) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
How to use morphine
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. If you have nausea, it may help to take this drug with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using morphine liquid and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure how to check or measure the dose.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take the medication more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
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.
If you have ongoing pain (such as due to cancer), your doctor may direct you to also take long-acting narcotic medications. In that case, this medication might be used for sudden (breakthrough) pain only as needed. Other non-narcotic pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen) may also be prescribed with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about using morphine safely with other drugs.
This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or sweating may occur. Some of these side effects may decrease after you have been using this medication for a while. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To prevent constipation, eat a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. Ask your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (such as a stimulant type with stool softener).
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
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: mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations), severe stomach/abdominal pain, difficulty urinating.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: fainting, seizure, slow/shallow breathing, unusual drowsiness/difficulty waking up.
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 (especially of the face/tongue/throat), 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.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Tell your doctor if your pain persists or worsens.
MORPHINE Side Effects
List morphine side effects by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with morphine:
Common side effects of morphine:
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Feeling Faint Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Inducing of a Relaxed Easy State Less Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of morphine:
A Spasm of the Larynx Severe
Bronchospasm Severe
Change in Pulse Severe
Collapsed Portion of Lung Severe
Fast Heartbeat Severe
Giant Hives Severe
Hives Severe
Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy Severe
Involuntary Muscle Movements Severe
Itching Severe
Rash Severe
Reaction due to an Allergy Severe
Slow Heartbeat Severe
Trouble Breathing Severe
Vocal Cord Swelling Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Double Vision Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Irritation of the Stomach or Intestines Less Severe
Kidney Problems Causing a Decreased Amount of Urine to be Passed Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Nervous Less Severe
Not Feeling Well Less Severe
Spasm of a Bile Duct Tract Less Severe
Spasm of the Ureter or Tube Connecting Kidney to Bladder Less Severe
Rare side effects of morphine:
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Anemia Severe
Blocked Bowels with No Movement Severe
Cannot Empty Bladder Severe
Coma Severe
Complete Stoppage of the Heart Severe
Confused Severe
Decreased Blood Platelets Severe
Decreased Calcification or Density of Bone Severe
Hallucination Severe
High Pressure Within the Skull Severe
Insufficiency of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland Severe
Lung Failure causing Loss of Breath Severe
Muscle Stiffness Severe
Periods of Not Breathing Severe
Problems with Circulation Severe
Seizures Severe
Shock Severe
Significant Decrease in Lung Function Severe
Sluggishness Severe
Abnormal Dreams Less Severe
Abnormal Manner of Walking Less Severe
Absence of Menstrual Periods Less Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe
Anxious Less Severe
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Delirium Less Severe
Depression Less Severe
Difficult or Painful Urination Less Severe
Difficulty Swallowing Less Severe
Dry Skin Less Severe
Excessive Thirst Less Severe
Extreme Sense of Well Being Less Severe
Feeling Restless Less Severe
Hiccups Less Severe
Inability to have an Erection Less Severe
Indigestion Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Lazy Eye Less Severe
Loss of Memory Less Severe
Narcotic Addiction Less Severe
Pain in the Eye Less Severe
Painful Periods Less Severe
Problem with Ejaculation Less Severe
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Less Severe
Uncoordinated Less Severe
Visible Water Retention Less Severe
Voice Disorder Less Severe
Weight Loss Less Severe
Widening of Blood Vessels Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking morphine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other narcotic pain medications (such as codeine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as head injury, tumor, seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus), difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallbladder disease.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Liquid products may contain sugar, aspartame, and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.
This drug passes into breast milk and may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor immediately if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain pain medications (mixed narcotic agonist/antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), narcotic antagonists (such as naltrexone).
Other medications can affect how morphine works and your risk for side effects. Examples include cimetidine, quinidine, rifampin, among others.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, allergy or cough-and-cold products, anti-seizure drugs (such as phenobarbital), medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, other narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine), and psychiatric medicines (such as risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Your medications or doses of your medications may need to be changed.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center 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.
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 are taking this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. See also Warning section.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. In the US, the FDA recommends flushing this medication down the toilet or pouring into a drain. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised February 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.