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 treat moderate to severe long-term pain (usually lasting longer than a few days). It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. This medication is a long-acting narcotic pain reliever (opiate-type).
Use this medication on a regular schedule as prescribed by your doctor, not as needed.
You should use the stronger form of this medication (200 milligrams per tablet/capsule) only if you have already been regularly taking moderate to large amounts of a powerful narcotic medication (such as morphine, oxycodone). A person who has not been taking powerful narcotics regularly can develop serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems (such as very slow and shallow breathing) if they take these strong tablets/capsules.
How To Use Morphine Sulfate IR Oral
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 or 3 times daily (every 8 or 12 hours) or as directed by your doctor. If you have nausea, it may help to take this drug with food. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as taking antihistamines, lying down for 1 to 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 large (possibly fatal) amount of drug into your body.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open the capsule and carefully sprinkle its contents on a spoonful of soft, cool applesauce just before you take it. Swallow all of 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 in advance.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take the medication more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
