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, ongoing pain that requires strong, long-lasting narcotic pain medications. It is a high-dose, long-acting product used when the pain cannot be relieved by other pain relievers. It should not be used for the relief of pain after surgery or mild pain that lasts only for a short time. This tablet strength (200 milligrams) should be used only in people who have been regularly taking high daily doses of morphine or other narcotic pain medications. If you have not been using strong narcotic pain relievers on a regular basis, discuss using another dosage strength with your doctor.
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 twice 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 whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. 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 from the tablet all at once.
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 (immediate-release) 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.
This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur. Such reactions can include trouble sleeping, sweating, widened pupils, runny nose, watering eyes, irritability, weakness, muscle aches/twitching/cramps, stomach cramps, hot/cold flashes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, and fever. Withdrawal symptoms may worsen over the first 3 days. Most symptoms will disappear over the next 2 weeks. Some withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, irritability, and muscle aches, may last 2 to 6 months. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping long-term, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
