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What is this medicine?
MORPHINE (MOR feen) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain that lasts for more than a few days. It is used by people who have been taking an opioid or narcotic pain medicine.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• brain tumor
• drug abuse or addiction
• head injury
• heart disease
• if you drink alcohol containing drinks
• intestinal disease
• kidney disease or problems urinating
• kyphoscoliosis
• liver disease
• lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
• seizures
• taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or selegiline in the past 2 weeks
• an unusual or allergic reaction to morphine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsules. Do not take a capsule that is not whole. A broken or crushed capsule can be very dangerous. You may get too much medicine. If the medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. If you have problems swallowing the capsule, you may carefully open it and sprinkle the contents on a small amount of cold applesauce. Immediately swallow all of the applesauce. Do not save it for later. Do not chew the applesauce. Do not let the medicine dissolve in the applesauce. Rinse your mouth with a sip of water. None of the medicine should stay in your mouth. Swallow all of the medicine. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not take more than you are told to take.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
• alcohol
• antihistamines
• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for pain
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxants
• naltrexone, naloxone
• other narcotic medicines
• rifampin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take for a long time.
Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
Do not drink, eat, or take anything that may contain alcohol. Alcohol makes this medicine work incorrectly. You may have very dangerous side effects if you take the medicine with any alcohol.
You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking the medicine or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that may be dangerous until you know how the medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly.
This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.
Your mouth may get dry. Drinking water, chewing sugarless gum, or sucking on hard candy may help. See your dentist every 6 months.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• change in the amount of urine
• confusion
• fever, chills
• hallucinations
• feeling faint or lightheaded
• seizures
• slow or fast heartbeat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• dizzy, drowsy
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• pinpoint pupils
• sweating
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep it in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and is against the law.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Flush any unused medicine down the toilet. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
