what is morphine
(MOR feen)
Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, OMS, Oramorph SR, Rescudose, RMS, Roxanol, Roxanol 100,Roxanol-T
What is the most important information I should know about morphine?
• Do not stop taking morphine suddenly if you have been taking it continuouslyfor more than 5 to 7 days what is morphine. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptomsand make you very uncomfortable what is morphine. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce yourdose what is morphine.
• Do not crush, chew, break, or open controlled-release forms of morphinesuch as Oramorph SR, Kadian, and MS Contin what is morphine. Swallow them whole what is morphine. They are speciallyformulated to release morphine slowly into your system what is morphine. Breaking them wouldcause too much of the drug to be released into your blood at one time what is morphine.
• Morphine will cause drowsiness and fatigue what is morphine. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills,antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers that may also make you drowsy exceptunder the supervision of your doctor what is morphine.
• Morphine will also cause constipation what is morphine. Drink plenty of water (six toeight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect what is morphine. Increasing the amountof fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation what is morphine.
• Never take more morphine than is prescribed for you what is morphine. If your pain isnot being adequately treated, talk to your doctor what is morphine.
What is morphine?
• Morphine is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics what is morphine. It relievespain what is morphine.
• Morphine is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain what is morphine.
• Morphine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide what is morphine.
Who should not take morphine?
• Morphine is habit forming and should only be used under close supervisionif you have an alcohol or drug addiction what is morphine.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
· kidney disease,
· liver disease,
· asthma,
· urinary retention,
· an enlarged prostate,
· hypothyroidism,
· seizures or epilepsy,
· gallbladder disease,
· a head injury, or
· Addison's disease what is morphine.
• You may not be able to take morphine, or you may require a lower doseor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove what is morphine.
• Morphine may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as otherharmful effects in an unborn baby what is morphine. Do not take morphine without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant what is morphine.
• Morphine may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursinginfant what is morphine. Do not take morphine without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby what is morphine.
• If you are younger than 18 years of age or older than 60 years of age,you may be more likely to experience side effects from morphine therapy what is morphine. Useextra caution what is morphine.
How should I take morphine?
• Take morphine exactly as directed by your doctor what is morphine. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you what is morphine.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water what is morphine.
• Take morphine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach what is morphine.
• Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you what is morphine. Too muchmorphine could be very harmful what is morphine.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of morphinewith a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon what is morphine. Ifyou do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can getone what is morphine.
• Do not crush, chew, break, or open controlled-release forms of morphinesuch as Oramorph SR, Kadian, or MS Contin what is morphine. Swallow them whole what is morphine. They are speciallyformulated to release morphine slowly into your system what is morphine. Breaking them wouldcause too much drug to be released into your blood at one time what is morphine.
• Use the suppositories rectally as directed by your doctor what is morphine. If you donot know how to use them, ask you doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for instructions what is morphine.
• Do not stop taking morphine suddenly if you have been taking it continuouslyfor more than 5 to 7 days what is morphine. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptomsand make you feel uncomfortable what is morphine. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce yourdose what is morphine.
• Morphine will cause constipation what is morphine. Increase the amount of fiber and water(at least six to eight full glasses daily) in your diet to prevent constipation what is morphine.
• Do not share this medication with anyone else what is morphine.
• Store morphine at room temperature away from moisture and heat what is morphine.
• Discard any opened bottle of morphine solution after 90 days what is morphine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember what is morphine. Do not take a double doseof this medication what is morphine. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your nextdose what is morphine.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention what is morphine.
• Symptoms of a morphine overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness,weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammyskin, and small pupils what is morphine.
What should I avoid while taking morphine?
• Avoid alcohol while taking morphine what is morphine. Alcohol will greatly increase thedrowsiness and dizziness caused by morphine and could be dangerous what is morphine.
• Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistaminesexcept under the supervision of your doctor what is morphine. These medications also may causedangerous sedation what is morphine.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities what is morphine. Morphine may cause drowsiness what is morphine. If you experience drowsiness, avoidthese activities what is morphine.
What are the possible side effects of morphine?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingmorphine and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· slow, weak breathing;
· seizures;
· cold, clammy skin;
· severe weakness or dizziness; or
· unconsciousness what is morphine.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur what is morphine. Continueto take morphine and talk to your doctor if you experience
· constipation;
· dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
· dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
· muscle twitches;
· sweating;
· itching;
· decreased urination; or
· decreased sex drive what is morphine.
• Morphine is habit forming what is morphine. Do not stop taking it suddenly what is morphine.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur what is morphine. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome what is morphine.
What other drugs will affect morphine?
• Do not take morphine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine(Parnate) in the last 14 days what is morphine. Dangerous side effects could result what is morphine.
• The most serious interactions affecting morphine are with those drugsthat also cause sedation what is morphine. The following drugs may lead to dangerous sedationif taken with morphine:
· antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others),diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol, Compoz, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton,Teldrin, others), and others;
· tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin(Sinequan), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline(Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil);
· other commonly used antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin),clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline(Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil);
· anticholinergics such as belladonna (Donnatal), clidinium (Quarzan),dicyclomine (Bentyl, Antispas), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Anaspaz), ipratropium (Atrovent),propantheline (Pro-Banthine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
· phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and
· tranquilizers and sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal),amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium),lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Prosom), and temazepam (Restoril) what is morphine.
• Do not take any of the drugs listed above without the approval of yourdoctor what is morphine.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with morphine what is morphine. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines what is morphine.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about morphine written forhealth professionals that you may read what is morphine.
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