What is Morphine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Follow all the prescriber’s directions. The dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Do not change the dose or take doses more often than instructed. An overdose can be dangerous. 

Call the prescriber if pain is not controlled or gets worse.

Do not stop taking morphine doses without first talking to the doctor.

Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.

Morphine tablets, capsules, or oral solution can be taken with food or milk.

How to take morphine tablets:

• Doses are usually taken every four hours.

• For acute pain, treatment usually lasts only a few days.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

• Store morphine tablets at room temperature securely out of the reach of children and other people.

How to take morphine extended-release tablets:

• Doses are usually taken every eight to 12 hours.

• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not cut, break, or chew it.

• Store morphine extended-release tablets at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container securely out of the reach of children and other people.

How to take morphine extended-release capsules:

• Doses are usually taken every 12 to 24 hours.

• Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not cut, break, or chew it.

• If you cannot swallow a capsule, it can be opened and sprinkled on a tablespoon of cool applesauce and taken that way. Consume the mixture immediately and drink a glass of water. Dispose of the empty capsule by flushing it down a toilet.

• Store morphine extended-release capsules at room temperature protected from light and moisture. Keep the bottle out of the reach of children and other people.

How to take morphine oral solution:

• Doses are usually taken every four hours.

• Use only a calibrated oral syringe to measure doses. Do not use kitchen measuring devices or tableware.

• Store morphine oral solution at room temperature protected from moisture. Keep the bottle out of the reach of children and other people.

How to take morphine suppositories:

• Doses are usually taken every four hours.

• Morphine suppositories are for rectal use only.

• Use the entire suppository. Do not break or divide it.

• Gently remove the suppository from its plastic packet.

• Gently insert the suppository into the rectum as far as it will go. 

• Store morphine suppositories in their sealed packets and original carton at room temperature below 77˚F.

Ask the pharmacist for directions on how to dispose of leftover morphine. It should be flushed down the toilet or taken to a drug takeback center.

Do not take a missed or forgotten dose.

Take the next dose at its regular time.

Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to morphine or have:

• Slowed breathing (respiratory depression)

• Active or severe bronchial asthma

• Gastrointestinal obstruction including an immobilized colon (paralytic ileus)

Morphine is a hazardous drug that can cause severe problems, particularly if too much is taken or the drug is misused. These problems include:

• Slowed breathing (respiratory depression)

• Stopped breathing (respiratory arrest)

• Breathing problems while sleeping

• Serotonin syndrome

• Drug abuse

• Dependence

• Overdose

• Death

Before starting morphine, tell the prescriber if you have:

• Breathing or lung problems such as COPD, asthma, or sleep apnea

• Liver problems

• Kidney problems

• Problems urinating

• Thyroid problems

• Pancreas or gallbladder problems

• Stomach or intestinal problems

• Low blood pressure

• A history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor

• Mental health issues such as depression

• A history of alcohol or drug abuse

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed before taking morphine.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

This medicine may make you constipated. The longer it’s used, the more likely you’ll experience constipation. Ask your prescribing clinician if it’s okay to use a laxative to treat constipation while taking morphine.

Do not stop taking morphine doses without talking to the doctor. The rapid discontinuation of morphine doses can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. The prescriber may need to slowly decrease the dose over several weeks before it can be safely stopped.

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Morphine is a federally controlled substance. Sharing or giving this medicine to other people is dangerous and illegal. Keep it out of sight and out of reach of other people.

Morphine is a hazardous drug that can cause severe problems, particularly if too much is taken or the drug is misused. These problems include:

• Slowed breathing (respiratory depression)

• Stopped breathing (respiratory arrest)

• Breathing problems while sleeping

• Serotonin syndrome

• Drug abuse

• Dependence

• Overdose

• Death

Before starting morphine, tell the prescriber if you have:

• Breathing or lung problems such as COPD, asthma, or sleep apnea

• Liver problems

• Kidney problems

• Problems urinating

• Thyroid problems

• Pancreas or gallbladder problems

• Stomach or intestinal problems

• Low blood pressure

• A history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor

• Mental health issues such as depression

• A history of alcohol or drug abuse

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed before taking morphine.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

This medicine may make you constipated. The longer it’s used, the more likely you’ll experience constipation. Ask your prescribing clinician if it’s okay to use a laxative to treat constipation while taking morphine.

Do not stop taking morphine doses without talking to the doctor. The rapid discontinuation of morphine doses can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. The prescriber may need to slowly decrease the dose over several weeks before it can be safely stopped.

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Morphine is a federally controlled substance. Sharing or giving this medicine to other people is dangerous and illegal. Keep it out of sight and out of reach of other people.