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Morphine

  • Morphine is used to treat severe pain or severe coughing.
  • Nausea, vomiting or constipation may occur with this medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to take with morphine to help with these side effects.
  • Morphine can cause drowsiness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.

About morphine

Type of medicine Analgesic
Used for Pain relief or severe cough
Also called Oramorph; Sevredol; Morcap; MST Continus; MXL; Zomorph
Available as Tablet and modified release tablet
Capsule and modified release capsule
Oral liquid
Injection
Suppository

Morphine is used to relieve severe pain and severe coughs; it works on the nerves and brain to reduce the pain you feel or the need to cough.

Before taking morphine

Before taking morphine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you suffer from liver problems.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.
  • If you have problems with drug or alcohol dependence
  • If you suffer from phaeochromocytoma.
  • If you suffer from breathing problems.
  • If you suffer from prostate problems.
  • If you suffer from thyroid problems.
  • If you suffer from epilepsy.
  • If you suffer from hypotension (low blood pressure).
  • If you have recently suffered a serious head injury.
  • If you have been constipated for more than a week, with or without tummy pain and bloatedness.
  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

How to take morphine

  • Take exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Some capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft food such as yogurt. Check with your pharmacist before trying this, as it does not apply to all capsules.
  • If you are taking the modified release tablets that release drug slowly to give a more even effect, they should not be crushed or broken, swallow them whole or you may absorb too much drug too quickly from the gut.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks
  • Morphine can cause constipation. Constipation can often be eased by eating plenty of fibre, such as wholegrain cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables and drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day.
  • Because morphine is a controlled drug, if you are planning a trip abroad, check with the government department HM Revenue and Customs to see if you need any documentation for your medicine. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a list of medicines that contain controlled drugs and can tell you the amount that you are allowed to take abroad. If you need to pack more of your medicine than you are allowed you will need to apply in writing for a licence from the Home Office before you travel.

Can morphine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Nausea and vomiting It usually passes after a few days; as you adjust to the medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to ease nausea.
Drowsiness Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Constipation Try to eat a well balanced diet containing fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a laxative.
Dry mouth If you experience this, try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice.
Sweating Use a cold/wet flannel or sponge placed on the forehead.
Dizziness, particularly when getting up from a sitting or lying position Getting up slowly should help.
Problems passing water (urinating) If this occurs speak with your doctor.

How to store morphine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2006 DocID:
1085		 DocRef:
dils2474		 Last Updated:
24 Oct 2006		 Date of Next Review:
23 Oct 2008		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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