Morphine (By injection)
MOR-feen
Treats moderate to severe pain. This medicine is a narcotic analgesic.
Drug classes
Analgesic, Anesthetic Adjunct, Central Nervous System Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Morphine injection is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It may also be used before or during surgery with an anesthetic (medicine that puts you to sleep). Morphine belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.
When a narcotic medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine may be given through a needle (a shot) or a catheter (a small tube). It may be given under your skin, into a muscle, into a vein, or into your back.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
To avoid dizziness from this medicine, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
If a dose is missed:
Use your medicine as soon as you remember that you have missed your dose.
If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use your medicine and skip the missed dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store your medicine at room temperature, away from heat and light. Throw away any unused medicine if the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (Nardil®, Parnate®, Marplan®, Eldepryl®) within the last 14 days before using morphine.
Morphine may interact with many other drugs. Be sure your doctor knows of all other medicines you are taking.
Avoid drinking alcohol while using morphine.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to morphine or to related narcotic painkillers. You should not use morphine if you have asthma.
Warnings
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you have a seizure disorder (epilepsy), asthma, liver, heart, kidney, gallbladder, lung, or inflammatory bowel disease, a bleeding disorder, or an enlarged prostate.
This medicine may be habit-forming. You should not use more than your doctor ordered, or use it for longer periods of time than prescribed.
Talk to your doctor before you stop using this medicine. You may need to use smaller and smaller amounts before stopping completely.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Avoid driving or using machinery.
This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Pain, burning, or swelling where the IV is given
Shortness of breath, trouble breathing
Slow heartbeat
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Trouble going to the bathroom (urinating)
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Constipation
Drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion
Sweating
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Astramorph PF, Astramorph/PF, Duramorph, Infumorph, Infumorph 200, Infumorph 500
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
