Are you struggling with unbearable, long-term pain? Sometimes, when ordinary painkillers fail to provide relief, your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication like Morphine. This is a medication that should be used with great caution and only under medical advice. So, let's learn more about it today.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Morphine is a powerful painkiller used to treat severe and chronic pain . It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. What makes it special is that it is an "extended-release" drug. This means that the medicine is gradually released into the body from this capsule, controlling pain for hours.
The most important thing is that this medicine is only used for long-term pain. It is not suitable for sudden pain.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Morphine is not a one-size-fits-all drug, so it is important to give your doctor a complete history of your medical condition. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Health conditions to inform your doctor about |
|---|
| • A brain tumor or serious head injury |
| • Drug or alcohol addiction |
| • Lung disease, asthma, or other breathing problems |
| • Kidney or liver disease |
| • Low adrenal gland function |
| • Thyroid disease |
| • Pancreatic or Gallbladder disease |
| • Seizures |
| • Bowel problems or difficulty defecating |
| • If you have taken an MAOI antidepressant (e.g. Parnate, Nardil) in the past 14 days |
| • If you have an allergic reaction to morphine or other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| • If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
How should I use the medicine?
Swallow this capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule for any reason. Doing so could cause the amount of medicine that should be absorbed slowly over several hours to be absorbed all at once, resulting in a dangerous overdose. This could be life-threatening.
If you feel upset after taking the medicine, take it with some food or a glass of milk.
What if the capsule is hard to swallow?
Some people have difficulty swallowing capsules. If so, open the capsule very carefully and place the small seeds inside on a cold, soft food such as applesauce. Then swallow the whole thing without chewing. Do not keep it for later. Then rinse your mouth with water and swallow the water. Do not let the seeds remain in your mouth.
Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Never take more than the prescribed dose.
Warning: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Morphine can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin).
| Drug type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Avoid taking Morphine with these altogether. | |
| MAOIs (a type of medication for depression) | Marplan, Nardil, Parnate |
| Other medications | Linezolid, Methylene blue, Samidorphan |
| If you are taking these medications, discuss them with your doctor. | |
| Alcohol | - |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | Piriton, Cetirizine |
| Medications for anxiety or sleep | Diazepam, Alprazolam |
| Other medications for depression | Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine |
| Other strong painkillers or narcotics | Tramadol, Codeine |
| Muscle relaxants | - |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Tolerance: Over time, the same amount of medication may no longer be enough to control the same level of pain. This is called ``tolerance.'' This is normal. If your pain does not subside, tell your doctor. He or she will adjust the dose if necessary.
- Drug tolerance and addiction: When you take this drug for a long time, your body becomes accustomed to it. It is not an addiction. Addiction is a behavioral problem of using a drug without a medical reason. If you need to stop taking the drug on the advice of a doctor, do not stop it suddenly. The dose is gradually reduced to avoid side effects.
- Be aware of Naloxone: Naloxone is an emergency medication that is given to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is important for the family of someone taking this medication to be aware of this. Ask your doctor about how to get it.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Be careful when getting up or sitting down quickly, especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking morphine. It can cause dangerous side effects.
- Constipation: Constipation is a very common side effect of this medication. If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, tell your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
| Side effect |
|---|
| Notify your doctor or ETU immediately. |
| • Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| • Difficulty breathing, slow or shallow breathing, excessive sleepiness, loss of consciousness. |
| • Low blood pressure - dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| • Symptoms of decreased adrenal function - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. |
| Tell your doctor if these persist or are bothersome. |
| • Constipation |
| • Dizziness, drowsiness |
| • Dry mouth |
| • Headache, nausea, vomiting |
How do you store and dispose of medication?
This is a very potent medicine, so keep it locked up in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . Protect it from theft as it can be misused.
Never share this medicine with anyone else. Doing so is illegal and very dangerous.
It is important to dispose of unused or expired medicines properly. It is best to hand them over to a hospital or pharmacy-run medicine disposal program. If this is not possible, flush them down the toilet, although it is wise to check with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Morphine is a powerful drug that is only given for severe, chronic pain that has not been relieved by other painkillers.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Swallow it whole.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and all medical conditions you have.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Avoid driving as it may cause drowsiness.
- This medicine is prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone. Store in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- If you experience symptoms of overdose, such as difficulty breathing or excessive drowsiness, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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