Morphine Sulfate IR Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (MOR-feen SUL-fate)
Morphine Sulfate IR Oral Uses
This medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain that requires strong, long-lasting narcotic pain medications for more than a few days. It is used when the pain cannot be relieved by other pain relievers. This medication should not be used to relieve pain after surgery or pain that lasts for only a short time.
This medication is a long-acting form of a narcotic pain reliever (opiate-type). It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief.
How To Use Morphine Sulfate IR Oral
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 or 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. If nausea occurs, consult your doctor or pharmacist about ways to reduce it (e.g., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with as little head movement as possible).
Swallow the tablets/capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the capsules or their contents. Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may lead to the release of a very high (possibly fatal) dose of drug all at once.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, the capsule may be opened and its contents carefully sprinkled on a spoonful of soft, cool applesauce just before you take it. Swallow the drug/food mixture immediately without chewing, then rinse your mouth and swallow the rinse liquid to make sure that you have swallowed all of the medicine. Do not chew the mixture or prepare a supply for future use.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy and previous use of narcotics. Use this medication exactly as prescribed.
If so directed by your doctor, you may take short-acting narcotic pain medications (e.g., morphine elixir, codeine) for attacks of severe pain. Also follow your doctor's instructions for the safe use of non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen). If you have been using other long-acting narcotic pain medications regularly, ask your doctor if you should continue or stop them. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
