What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- anxiety
- constipation
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- increased sweating
- mood changes
- nausea
- sedation
- vomiting
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Dependence: This medication may become habit-forming if taken for long periods of time. Drug abuse is not a problem for people who require this medication for pain relief. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if the medication is stopped suddenly. Those on prolonged therapy should stop this medication gradually if it is no longer required for pain control.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Morphine may impair the mental or physical abilities needed for certain potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating machinery. Use appropriate caution while taking this medication and avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Head injury: Morphine should be taken with extreme caution by people with a head injury.
Kidney and liver function: People with reduced kidney or liver function should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition or medications may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Medical conditions: Morphine should be taken with caution by people with Addison's disease, blood pressure problems, reduced thyroid function, enlarged prostate, stricture of the urethra, reduced pituitary function, anemia, severe malnutrition, active ulcerative colitis, pancreatic disease, biliary disease, seizure disorder, and untreated myxedema.
Respiratory conditions: Morphine should be taken with extreme caution by people with airway diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other conditions that affect your ability to breathe.
Pregnancy: Taking this medication during pregnancy can cause a withdrawal syndrome in the baby after birth. Morphine should not be taken during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking morphine sustained release, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectivness of this medication in children have not been established.
Seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the effects of morphine and thus require a lower dose and monitoring by the doctor.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between morphine sustained release and any of the following:
- alcohol
- anesthetics (e.g., thiopental)
- antihistamines
- barbituates
- blood pressure medications (beta-blockers)
- blood thinners
- cimetidine
- diuretics
- MAO inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, procarbazine, tranylcypromine) taken within the previous 14 days
- muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol)
- narcotic analgesics (e.g., codeine, oxycodone)
- sedatives or hypnotics (e.g., chloral hydrate)
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptylline, nortriptylline)
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.