Are you suffering from unbearable, long-lasting pain? When other painkillers have not helped, your doctor may have prescribed you this special painkiller containing morphine. Since this is a very powerful drug, it is very important to be fully aware of it and use it correctly. So, let's talk about it clearly today.
What are these morphine sustained-release pills?
Simply put, this is a very strong painkiller that is given for severe and chronic (chronic), that is, long-term pain. These belong to the group of drugs called opioids. The specialty of these pills is that they are made to be "long-acting" (long-lasting). This means that after you take the pill, the medicine in it is not absorbed into the body all at once, but is gradually released into the body over many hours. This gives you long-term pain relief.
Important: 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
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. It may interact with other medical conditions in your body. Therefore, before you start taking this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Medical condition/information | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain-related problems | Brain tumor, head injury |
| Addictions | Drug or alcohol abuse |
| Respiratory system problems | Asthma, lung disease, or breathing difficulties |
| Stomach-related diseases | Liver disease, Kidney disease, Gallbladder disease, Pancreatic disease, Intestinal problems |
| Other medical conditions | Heart disease, seizures, thyroid problems, low adrenal gland function, difficulty urinating |
| Other medications | If you have taken an MAOI (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) medication in the past 14 days |
| Special occasions | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to morphine or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine and avoid side effects, it is very important to take it correctly.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- Very important: Never break, crush, or chew the tablet. Doing so can cause the entire dose of medicine to be released into the body over several hours, resulting in a very dangerous overdose.
- If the medicine seems hard on the stomach, take it with a meal or a glass of milk.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Never take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor.
What to do if the dose is increased?
If you think you have taken too much, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others. It is illegal and very dangerous.
What if I miss a medication appointment?
Take the medicine as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Morphine is a powerful drug that can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Never take morphine with these. | |
|---|---|
| |
| Morphine may react with these (tell your doctor) | |
| Alcohol | Causes excessive sleepiness and difficulty breathing. |
| Other painkillers | Other opioid (narcotic) painkillers or cough medicines. |
| Mental health medication | Medications for anxiety, insomnia, and depression. |
| Allergy medicine | Antihistamines for colds and coughs. |
| Other | Anesthetics, muscle relaxants, diuretics, and some medications for migraines, seizures, and vomiting. |
Things to consider when taking medication
Pain and tolerance
When you take this medicine for a long time, you may not get the same pain relief from the same dose as before. This means that your body has become accustomed to the medicine. This is called ``Tolerance''. This is normal when you take this kind of medicine for a long time. If your pain increases, do not increase the dose as you feel like it. Talk to your doctor about it.
The difference between addiction and dependence
This is where a lot of people get confused. Your body gets used to this medication. That doesn't mean you're addicted to it. Addiction is using a medication for psychological pleasure without a medical reason. You have a medical reason to take this medication because you're in pain.
Important: Never try to stop taking this medicine suddenly. Because your body has become accustomed to the medicine, stopping it suddenly can cause severe physical reactions (withdrawal symptoms). If your doctor wants to stop your medicine, he or she will do so by gradually reducing the dose.
Other important points
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
- Alcohol: Taking this medication with alcohol can increase the side effects. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely.
- Constipation: A common side effect of this medication is constipation. If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, tell your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, or drinking water frequently may help.
- The tablet coating: The insoluble coating of some brands of tablets may pass out completely with the stool. This is normal and should not be alarmed.
What side effects might I experience?
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, loss of consciousness, inability to stay awake. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Decreased adrenal function | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
How to keep medicine safe?
Because this medicine is very powerful, it is very important to keep it safe.
- Keep it locked up safely , out of the reach of children and pets .
- This medicine can be misused, so protect it from theft.
- Never give this medicine to anyone else. Doing so is dangerous and punishable by law.
- Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.
- Dispose of unused medication at a proper disposal site. If this is not possible, flush it down the toilet and rinse thoroughly.
Take-Home Message
- Morphine is a powerful drug that is only prescribed for severe, chronic pain.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet for any reason. Swallow it whole.
- Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Do not stop taking your medication or change the dosage on your own. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
- If an overdose is suspected, immediately go to the National Poisons Information Centre or a hospital ETU.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place, out of the reach of children and others.
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