Morphine Ampoule 10 mg

What is morphine?

Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain when alternative pain relief medicines are not effective or not tolerated. Morphine is an opioid pain-relieving medication that usually provides significant pain relief for short-term or chronic pain. 

Morphine belongs to a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. Morphine works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain; it does this by binding to the mu-opioid receptors within the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Morphine is available as oral liquid, tablets, extended-release tablets and capsules, intravenous (IV), suppositories, and epidural.

Morphine may also be abused and may be considered contraindicated in patients with a history of substance abuse or abusing opioids. 

Morphine is a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).  This means that morphine has a high potential for abuse but has a currently accepted medical use as a treatment or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Morphine side effects

Common morphine side effects

Common morphine side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, or constipation, sweating, low oxygen levels (shortness of breath), feeling light-headed or feelings of extreme happiness or sadness.

Serious morphine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to morphine: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur, especially if you drink alcohol or use other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Morphine may cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out; or
• decreased adrenal gland hormones - nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light-headed, muscle or joint pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods.

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.