Get Informed: Morphine
Active Ingredient(s)
Morphine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is an opioid agonist, and works at different sites in the brain and body.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 12:57 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Morphine
- MS Contin
- Morphine Sulfate
- Kadian
- Avinza
- Msir
- Oramorph
- Morphine Epidural
- Roxanol
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risk of dependence, and the dangers of crushing, breaking or chewing tablets that are designed for slow release.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 18 Sep 1984
- Est US Patients*
- 1,244,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Morphine or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Morphine Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Morphine interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Morphine used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 7,300 patients that use Morphine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | 61% | 
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 14% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 5% |
|
| Other | 27% |
|
How well does Morphine work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 7,300 users taking Morphine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 67%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Morphine outweigh the bad things.
- 25%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Morphine.
Common Side Effects of Morphine
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 7,300 users taking Morphine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
68% of patients experience side-effects on Morphine
17% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Morphine
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Headache
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Dry Mouth
-
Dizziness
-
Sweating
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Nausea
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Insomnia
-
Abdominal Pain
-
Shortness of Breath
-
Thirst
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bladder/Urinary Problems, Dryness, Loose Stool, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Morphine ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I use MS Contin for a bone disease called Lymphangiomatosis. It causes me quite a bit of pain. I'm on 90mg of MS Contin in the morning, and another 90mg at night. I also take 8 MSIR 15mg throughout the day. for breakthrough pain. I have benn on various doses of the same meds for roughly 7 years. The only maijor side effect I have is constipation. Mine has not gotten better over the years. I'm still taking prescribed stool softeners & laxitives.
28 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-12 12:49:16
Question/Comment:
Has anyone had any experience with Embeda they could share. I just started it from the pain clinic. I am 35 yrs old with Rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disc operations. It has worked for two days. They gave me xodol for breakthrough pain.
Thanks
35 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-13 14:10:45
Question/Comment:
You can get a drug card for avinza through your physician- and it is free- as long as long as your insurance covers the cost up to $40.00- also- has anyone developed significant ear ringing - noises in the ear- or loss of hearing with this medication??
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 13:53:02
Answer/Reply:
No. None of these problems.
57 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-27 09:05:06
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Morphine Sulfate (MS Contin) 100 Mg and Morphine Sulfate 30 Mg quick release for breakthrough for 7 years to combat the pains of soft tissue sarcoma. I find this medication to be safe and have no drug nteractions with all the rest of my medications (15). I am now stage 4 and it still works using it as prescribed 3 times a day PRN.
65 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-18 10:40:07
Question/Comment:
Avinza has been a life-saver to me. It put me back on my feet. I can't imagine life without it. The only side effect I've seen after 11 months is constipation. At first, it was very serious, but has now become only mild. It does get better with time on the drug.
64 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-13 15:20:46
Answer/Reply:
I totally agree. I was put on 30 mg. once a day for 4 yrs. and my pain was getting worse and the Avinza wasn't helping. I kept asking my neurologist to change it or increase but he refused. There would be times I'd go in there crying with a pain level of 7+ and he would keep it the same. I fired my neurologist and started seeing the pain specialist in his office who increased my Avinza to 60 mg. in the afternoon and added 15 mg. MSIR (Morphine sulphate immediate release) one in the morning and one in the evenig for breakthrough pain. I can't tell ya how much better I feel. The only side effects I have are mild constipation. I wouldn't be able to do anything without pain meds.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 23:26:37
Question/Comment:
couldn't function without this medication. I have severe back pain due to hurniated and degenertive disc.
43 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-20 21:02:20
Answer/Reply:
try using dilaudid with the morophine for break through i am on 100mg 3x a day but usually take 1 in the am and 1 at night of the moro. and up to six of the dil.
45 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-20 10:35:03
Answer/Reply:
I'm 51 year old male that understands tis statement. I've been on MS Contin since 1995. My back is to mess up for surgery so I has No choose but to take it, * I do find that wearing Lidocaine Patches (Lidoderm Patches) do help me no to have to take so much MS Contin.
Hope this Helps those Suffering with back pain. (The main Key is ALOT of Prayer & Faith)
51 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-20 12:35:18
Answer/Reply:
I just had back surgery for one of my herniated disc's as a piece broke off and travelled else where so it had to be removed, my Kadian does work for me, but after around 6 to 8 hrs it seems to wear off instead of lasting me for the whole 12, my question for most here is what mg. are you on, I take 20 mg. every 12, am wondering if I need to ask my Dr. to boost mine up just alittle so it lasts me long then the 6 to 8 hr. period, I still have herniated disc's in my back, they are not at the point that they require surgery though, I also have Degenerative Disc Disease, so apparently in speaking to all the Dr's I have, I will be in pain for the rest of my life, they say it is caused by arthritis, I dont know if everyone else has been told that also, have I been dealing with this since 2004, they just think I started with it so young, that is what boggles them the most, because when mine started I was 40. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated because none of my friends seem to understand at all. God Bless each of you. Tam
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-03 17:02:09
Answer/Reply:
I can understand your problem. My problems started in 96. I was pretty much able to function ok until Oct 2006. By then I had decided to see the doc about my back. See I hate docs and been one time in all those years for a sinus infection. Well, after the state did an x-ray and my doc had me get a MRI. I have degengradive disc desease in 5 discs, narrowing of the spinal nerve canal, Osteoarthritus, sevear bulging disc, and a bunch of other things I cant remember what they call it. But I have it in 2 differnt places in my spine.Degrenrative disc in the mid back, and the last 5 vertibra in by lower back. Right where my spine meets my pelvis and tailbone.
the Docs at LSI say the suregry will be 14 to 16,000 to fix, (maybe)
Anyways. Besides not being able to work for many reasons. but
I 'Graduated' from Lortab 120mg 4 times a day with Motrin for break through. To 100mg Kadian 2x a day. But I know what you mean about it not lasting. Mine takes about 3 to 4 hours to kick in and only seems to work for about 7 to 8 hours and my Doc swore that Kadian is supposed to be a 24hr slow release. Well its either VERY SLOW or its not 24 hr. I did a whole bunch of research on Kadian and Yes it was designed to be a slow release 24 drug, but they are finding out that people are having to take it multip,e times per day (once every 12 hours) and I take Oxycodone 5mg as a break through and now 500mg Motrin on top of that. Now my Doc wants to put me on a 'Fentenyle"sp? patch. Heard some bad things about those though. But yes, i have been told that I will be in pain for the rest of my life. I am only 40 now and it started 13 years ago and now its so bad that I almost can't do anything. I take Approx 14 pills daily some 2 to 3 x a day.
But to answer your question, Yes, I would tell your doc that you want your Kadian adjusted. 20mg twice a day at least. Cause, I don't care what anyone or anything says about the duration and effect is supposed to last when it comes to pain meds, you can deduct anywhere from 2-4 hours off of that! That will give you a TRUE guage of relief to expect. Problem is, it does stay in your system for a certain length of time weather it works or not, Thats what the Docs see..... I am pretty lucky to have a Doc that 'seems' to believe my level of pain. Because I have reched another step... Its almost time to either change or UP dosages. Being in pain from neck to toes 24 hours a day. So ICOMPLETELY understand your position of Youth and what to look forward to. I have been told at my present progression, I will either be bed bound or in a wheel chair by age 50. I am already on a pain medication regimine of a 'excuse me no disrespect meant!' of a Dying Cancer Patient. I am only 2 steps away from a Morphine drip. People think I am just whining and being a baby until I show them my Zip Lock Freezer Gallon sized bag full of Meds I take everyday, plus the Controlled substances I had to sign federal papers stating they would stay locked up at all times, and would be counted at EVERY doctor visit.
So not only do I have a life of worsening pain, but I am looked at not being a man or a giant boob because I cannot do what I have done all my life. No sexuall drive what so ever thanx to all these dang meds, No job, live on unemployment till it runs out. Then feel like a worthless piece when I see my GirlFriend doing work I should be doing but can'tand feeling like a druggy or something because of the 'pill lockbox'.
So I do understand your YOUTH issue.. The most medicine I ever took until now is 1 Asprin every once in a while.. So take heart in knowing your not the only one going through this so young. As for your friends, My councilor used to tell me, people don't understand your pain, because the cannot see it. Sorta like a broken leg. They can see the Cast but they will never know the pain or feeling until they are in your shoes. I have the same probablem here. Even my own Sister thinks I am blowing things whay out of proportion... Sux.
God Bless!
Bryan
40 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-10 14:05:12
Answer/Reply:
I am taking Fentanyl patches but now that I am up to 50 mcg the patches are too big and they just don't stick on my body (I'm sometimes exercise (modified) despite my pain, plus I guess I have hormone issues so I sweat and that makes the patches fall off or deliver more med into your system). But other than this little problem I have been very happy with Fentanyl --- only side effect is constipation. And, I started on the smallest and worked my way up---had Norco (1000 mg Vicodin) for breakthrough.
Good luck!
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-27 00:11:40
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
65
Patient Comments about
Morphine