Drug
Morphine (PF)
Pronounced
"MORE-feen"
Uses
This product is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain in emergencies. Morphine belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
This product delivers one fixed dose of morphine and is not recommended for use in children who are younger than 14 years or who weigh less than 90 pounds (40 kilograms).
Warning
Morphine has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Morphine may also cause severe, possibly fatal, breathing problems. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you use the smallest dose of morphine that works, and use it for the shortest possible time. See also How to Use section for more information about addiction.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have naloxone available to treat opioid overdose. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an opioid overdose and how to treat it.
The risk for severe breathing problems is higher when you start this medication and after a dose increase, or if you use the wrong dose/strength. Using this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems may cause very serious side effects, including death. Be sure you know how to use morphine and what other drugs you should avoid using with it. See also Drug Interactions section. Get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up.
Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. If someone accidentally uses or swallows this drug, get medical help right away.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, use the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Babies born to mothers who use this drug for a long time may develop severe (possibly fatal) withdrawal symptoms. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as crying that doesn't stop, slow/shallow breathing, irritability, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding, or difficulty gaining weight.
How to Use This Medication
This medication is given by injection into the muscle of the outer thigh, through clothing if necessary, as directed. If you do not get good pain relief after 30 minutes, a second dose may be given if so directed. This product is meant to be used in emergencies only, so it is not usually given repeatedly. However, if this product needs to be given repeatedly, it is given as directed by the doctor, usually every 4 hours as needed.
If you will be giving this medication to yourself, learn how to properly inject this medication in advance so you will be prepared if you actually need to use it. Lying down when receiving this medication may help to reduce side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Discard the injector properly after use. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a mental/mood disorder or a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Use this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This product is meant to be used in emergencies, not for a long time. If morphine is used for a long time, it may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if your morphine stops working well.
Tell your doctor if your pain does not get better or if it gets worse, or if you have any new pain.