HealthUnlockedHealthUnlocked
AboutLog in

Experiences with

Morphine

Morphine is a strong painkiller. It's used to treat severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer or a heart attack.

It's also used for other types of long-standing pain when weaker painkillers no longer work.

Morphine is available only on prescription. It comes as tablets, capsules, granules that you dissolve in water, a liquid to swallow or an injection. Morphine injections are usually only done in hospital.

Who can take morphine

Most adults and children can take morphine, however babies, young children and older people are more likely to get side effects.

Morphine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to morphine or any other medicine
  • have breathing difficulties or a lung problem
  • have an addiction to alcohol
  • have a condition that causes seizures or fits
  • have a head injury
  • have low thyroid levels (underactive thyroid)
  • have adrenal gland problems
  • have kidney or liver problems
  • have an enlarged prostate
  • have low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • have myasthenia gravis (a rare condition that causes muscle weakness)
  • are trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or you're breastfeeding

Dosage and strength

Morphine comes as:

  • standard tablets – these contain 10mg, 20mg or 50mg of morphine
  • slow-release tablets – these contain 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg or 200mg of morphine
  • slow-release capsules – these contain 10mg, 30mg, 60mg, 90mg, 100mg, 120mg, 150mg or 200mg of morphine
  • granules (that you mix in water to make a drink) – these are in sachets containing 20mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg or 200mg of morphine
  • a liquid that you swallow – this contains either 10mg of morphine in a 5ml spoonful or 20mg of morphine in 1ml of liquid
  • injection (usually given in hospital)

Doses of morphine vary from person to person. Your dose will depend on how bad your pain is, how you've responded to previous painkillers and if you get any side effects.

Usually, you start on a low dose of morphine and this is increased slowly until your pain is well controlled. Once your pain is under control, talk to your doctor about swapping to slow-release morphine. This may cut down the number of doses you have to take each day.

When you stop taking morphine your dose will go down gradually, especially if you've been taking it for a long time.

How and when to take it

It's important to swallow slow-release morphine tablets and capsules whole with a drink of water.

You can choose to take your morphine at any time of day but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly. For example, if you take morphine twice a day and have your first dose at 8am, take your second dose at 8pm.

How often you take it depends on the type of morphine that you've been prescribed. You'll usually take:

  • standard tablets 4 to 6 times a day
  • slow-release granules, tablets and capsules once or twice a day
  • liquid 4 to 6 times a day

You'll usually have injections 4 to 6 times a day (sometimes in a pump that you control yourself).

Do not break, crush, chew or suck morphine slow-release tablets or capsules. If you do, the medicine will not be released gradually and the whole dose might get into your body in one go. This could cause a potentially fatal overdose.

If you are not able to swallow your medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Depending on why you're taking morphine, you may only need to take it for a short time. For example, if you're in pain after an injury or operation, you may only need to take morphine for a few days or weeks.

You may need to take it for longer if you have a long-term condition such as cancer.

If you forget to take it

This will vary depending on which type of morphine you're taking.

If you forget to take a dose, check the information on the leaflet inside the packaging or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on what to do.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking too much morphine can be dangerous.

If you've taken an overdose you may feel very sleepy, sick or dizzy. You may also find it difficult to breathe. In serious cases you can become unconscious and need emergency treatment in hospital.

The amount of morphine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

  • you or a child have taken more than your prescribed dose of morphine

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

If you need advice for a child under the age of 5 years, call 111.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the morphine box, bottle or the leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.

you or your child has taken more than your prescribed dose of morphine and:

  • feel sleepy, sick or dizzy
  • have difficulty breathing
  • start to lose consciousness

If you need to take morphine for a long time your body can become tolerant to it.

This is not usually a problem but you could get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.

If you want to stop taking morphine, talk to your doctor first. Your dose can be reduced gradually so you do not get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • feeling agitated
  • feeling anxious
  • shaking
  • sweating

If you have been taking morphine for more than a few weeks do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first.

If you're prescribed morphine, it's particularly important that you:

  • store it properly and safely at home
  • keep it out of the sight and reach of children
  • never give your medicine to anyone else

Return any unused morphine to your pharmacist who will dispose of it.

Common side effects

These common side effects of morphine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and these side effects bother you or do not go away.

Do not take any other medicines to treat the side effects of morphine without speaking to your pharmacist or doctor.

Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

Call your doctor or contact 111 if you:

  • have muscle stiffness
  • feel dizzy, tired and have low energy – this could be a sign of low blood pressure

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

  • have a seizure or fit
  • have difficulty breathing or short shallow breathing

Find your nearest A&E

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to morphine.

These are not all the side effects of morphine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Morphine and pregnancy

Morphine can be safely given in hospital by a doctor or midwife for severe pain if you need it while you're pregnant. However, long-term use of morphine is not generally recommended in pregnancy.

If you are taking morphine long term discuss this with your doctor or midwife, as coming off morphine or finding a different medicine may be possible.

Morphine may affect your baby's development in the first trimester, so it's best to avoid taking it in early pregnancy if possible.

If you take morphine at the end of pregnancy there's a risk that your baby will get withdrawal symptoms when they're born. Morphine is often given for pain relief in labour and generally does not cause a problem for the baby, however your baby will be monitored closely once they're born to look for drowsiness or any breathing problems.

It's important to treat pain in pregnancy. For some people with severe pain, morphine might be the best option. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what's right for you and your baby.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take morphine while breastfeeding. However, it is best to only take morphine for a few days and at low doses. If you need to take it for longer, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may also recommend a different painkiller for you to use while breastfeeding.

Morphine passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts, although the amount does vary. When taken at low doses and for a short time, it is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, has constipation, seems unusually pale, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife as soon as possible.

  • your baby is unusually sleepy
  • your baby has breathing problems

Find your nearest A&E

There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking morphine will reduce fertility in men.

However, it might affect your periods (menstrual cycle) if you're a woman.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines and morphine can affect each other and increase the chance that you will have side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines:

  • to help you sleep
  • for mental health problems including depression or to reduce tension or anxiety
  • for high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • to help stop you feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
  • to treat symptoms of an allergy
  • to control seizures or fits due to epilepsy

It's safe to take morphine with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin.

Do not take morphine with painkillers that contain codeine. You will be more likely to get side effects.

Some everyday painkillers that you can buy without prescription from pharmacies contain codeine, which is a similar medicine to morphine. Painkillers from pharmacies with codeine in include co-codamol, Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine.

Mixing morphine with herbal remedies and supplements

It's not possible to say that herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with morphine.

They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Related links

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

  • Posts

  • Communities

2,865 public posts

Morphine

Has anyone else been given morphine to help with their breathing, if so please can you tell me when you take it. I am taking 2.5 ml up to 4 times daily. Thanks for your help
Has anyone else been given morphine to help with their breathing, if so please can you tell me when you take it. I am taking 2.5 ml up to 4 times daily. Thanks for your help
Libragirl profile image
Libragirl
in COPD Friends

Morphine

I am aware that morphine can block T3. What should I do. Shoul I increase T3 whist on the morphine ? Sorry about the long post and thank you for talking the time to read it
I am aware that morphine can block T3. What should I do. Shoul I increase T3 whist on the morphine ? Sorry about the long post and thank you for talking the time to read it
Jillkh profile image
Jillkh
in Thyroid UK

Morphine. Anyone else?

My pain and symptoms have become so debilitating and limiting that I’m on a low dose of morphine daily. My bowel has not functioned since the removal of DIE 4 years ago ( only the use of suppository will allow my bowel to open even to pass gas sometimes).
My pain and symptoms have become so debilitating and limiting that I’m on a low dose of morphine daily. My bowel has not functioned since the removal of DIE 4 years ago ( only the use of suppository will allow my bowel to open even to pass gas sometimes).
Maviscat01 profile image
Maviscat01
in Endometriosis UK
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Opioid withdrawal/ management advice

I'm thinking of taking morphine every night.But in order to weigh up the implications of this I need to know what will happen when the Morphine stops working. How long do withdrawal symptoms last? How bad are they? And how can they be managed whilst swtitching to a different drug?
I'm thinking of taking morphine every night.But in order to weigh up the implications of this I need to know what will happen when the Morphine stops working. How long do withdrawal symptoms last? How bad are they? And how can they be managed whilst swtitching to a different drug?
Jumpey profile image
Jumpey
in Restless Legs Syndrome

Oramorph Liquid vs Morphine Slow acting tablets

Oramorph Liquid vs Morphine Slow acting tablets Good morning everyone, I have currently been taking for over a year 2.5 ml of Oramorph Liquid, 4 times a day to help my Stage 4 COPD breathing ie 10 ml in total daily.
Oramorph Liquid vs Morphine Slow acting tablets Good morning everyone, I have currently been taking for over a year 2.5 ml of Oramorph Liquid, 4 times a day to help my Stage 4 COPD breathing ie 10 ml in total daily.
Joseph260268 profile image
Joseph260268
in Lung Conditions Community Forum

Morphine Sulphate

I got a temporary prescription for morphine sulphate 15 er tabs. It's been a few days and I'm not getting near the relief as I was from the Oxy 15. Does anyone here have any experience using morphine sulfate? After researching the dosages seem somewhat equivalent.
I got a temporary prescription for morphine sulphate 15 er tabs. It's been a few days and I'm not getting near the relief as I was from the Oxy 15. Does anyone here have any experience using morphine sulfate? After researching the dosages seem somewhat equivalent.
ziggypiggy profile image
ziggypiggy
in Restless Legs Syndrome

Zopiclone

I left with a carry bag full of meds including morphine oromorph. The only medication that I panic about from at least 10 prescribed is zopiclone. Not morphine, but zopiclone. Why as now I can sleep or function and work without it. It does it job ..,, SLEEP.
I left with a carry bag full of meds including morphine oromorph. The only medication that I panic about from at least 10 prescribed is zopiclone. Not morphine, but zopiclone. Why as now I can sleep or function and work without it. It does it job ..,, SLEEP.
Roryo1983 profile image
Roryo1983
in Sleep Matters

Pain

I am currently in alot of pain using hot water bottle, tens machine and using my morphine. But still struggling anyone got any hints or tips that may help
I am currently in alot of pain using hot water bottle, tens machine and using my morphine. But still struggling anyone got any hints or tips that may help
Juls82 profile image
Juls82
in Endometriosis UK

Wobbly legs

My legs have suddenly become wobbly and pains in my stomach are unbearable morphine doesnt touch It and makes me feel worse anyway nausea headache.. Any help
My legs have suddenly become wobbly and pains in my stomach are unbearable morphine doesnt touch It and makes me feel worse anyway nausea headache.. Any help
Busymumof2 profile image
Busymumof2
in Endometriosis UK

Tens Machine

I am already on pain medication and morphine. I was looking into getting a tens machine but I don’t even know where to begin looking. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you in advance 😊
I am already on pain medication and morphine. I was looking into getting a tens machine but I don’t even know where to begin looking. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you in advance 😊
Buddyboo18 profile image
Buddyboo18
in Endometriosis UK

low dose morphine for relief of dyspnoea

The advice was to encourage secondary prevention the use of preventers and LOW DOSE MORPHINE ... extract: Opioids in patients with COPD and refractory dyspnea - PubMedhttps: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34507574/ I ask you if any of you have tried this therapy and also
The advice was to encourage secondary prevention the use of preventers and LOW DOSE MORPHINE ... extract: Opioids in patients with COPD and refractory dyspnea - PubMedhttps: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34507574/ I ask you if any of you have tried this therapy and also
pasquino profile image
pasquino
in Lung Conditions Community Forum

Two and a half weeks post upper right lobectomy.

I’m following the medication directions I’ve been given although my GP suggested I should try to reduce the amount of morphine gradually. The morphine leaves a rather unpleasant taste in my mouth and I feel nauseous so I’m rather happy to do this.
I’m following the medication directions I’ve been given although my GP suggested I should try to reduce the amount of morphine gradually. The morphine leaves a rather unpleasant taste in my mouth and I feel nauseous so I’m rather happy to do this.
Kanafapot profile image
Kanafapot
in The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Period pain, hysterectomy yesterday

I am taking morphine but that's only taking the edge off. I'm so worried the pain isn't going to go. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks everyone Abby
I am taking morphine but that's only taking the edge off. I'm so worried the pain isn't going to go. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks everyone Abby
My_adventures profile image
My_adventures
in Endometriosis UK

Nighttime angina

A few months ago, I had surgery on a badly-broken femur, and a number of temporary medications including morphine and codeine. Since then, have wakened on two or three occasions at night with pain/discomfort on left side of chest, but mainly a painful tingling up and down left arm.
A few months ago, I had surgery on a badly-broken femur, and a number of temporary medications including morphine and codeine. Since then, have wakened on two or three occasions at night with pain/discomfort on left side of chest, but mainly a painful tingling up and down left arm.
Blackcat99 profile image
Blackcat99
in British Heart Foundation

Morphine patches and steroid injections for stage 4 osteoarthritis?

The GP has just prescribed me morphine patches to try. I want the pain to stop but i've heard that the side effects can be bad? He is also referring me for steroid injections - will these help?
The GP has just prescribed me morphine patches to try. I want the pain to stop but i've heard that the side effects can be bad? He is also referring me for steroid injections - will these help?
Holmol3 profile image
Holmol3
in Pain Concern

Oramorph and codeine- how far to space them out?

I wouldn’t take it at the same time as I know codeine is metabolised into morphine in the body. But wondered if I could take it at some point in the same day and how far to space it out if I can?
I wouldn’t take it at the same time as I know codeine is metabolised into morphine in the body. But wondered if I could take it at some point in the same day and how far to space it out if I can?
nicnak86 profile image
nicnak86
in Pain Concern

Morphine

Chemo and immunotherapy today they have not heard from liver specialist regard thing on liver but have decided to take me off cocodamol for pain and put me on oramorph anyone had this I’m as usal scared x
Chemo and immunotherapy today they have not heard from liver specialist regard thing on liver but have decided to take me off cocodamol for pain and put me on oramorph anyone had this I’m as usal scared x
Red58 profile image
Red58
in The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

titled inflamed Gall Bladder

He's on morphine IV antibiotics and drip for hydration. He is in terrible pain but the hospital says they will contact Broadgreen hospital which he is still under for advice on how to proceed. Has anyone else suffered with this problem? Surgeon says it could be months before its resolved.
He's on morphine IV antibiotics and drip for hydration. He is in terrible pain but the hospital says they will contact Broadgreen hospital which he is still under for advice on how to proceed. Has anyone else suffered with this problem? Surgeon says it could be months before its resolved.
1AnneMcC profile image
1AnneMcC
in British Heart Foundation

Metastatic bone pain

He is on 15 mg ER morphine and norco every 4 hours and still is crying in so much pain I have been looking for more pain relief options = has anyone ever tried Tesla multi wave oscillator oval . Or anything from antigingbed.com ? Thanks just praying for some bone pain relief
He is on 15 mg ER morphine and norco every 4 hours and still is crying in so much pain I have been looking for more pain relief options = has anyone ever tried Tesla multi wave oscillator oval . Or anything from antigingbed.com ? Thanks just praying for some bone pain relief
danyelpolo profile image
danyelpolo
in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Kidney problems

I also have a morphine patch for pain relief. In the last week I find that I am not urinating as frequently as usual though have not changed my fluid intake, and when I do pass water, it is very dark, almost brown.
I also have a morphine patch for pain relief. In the last week I find that I am not urinating as frequently as usual though have not changed my fluid intake, and when I do pass water, it is very dark, almost brown.
27-359 profile image
27-359
in My Ovacome
  • 1
  • 2
  • ...
  • 100
  • Next page
  • 10
  • 20
  • 30
  • 40
  • 50
  • 60
  • 70
  • 80
  • 90
  • 100
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by
HealthUnlocked
© 2022 All rights reserved.

Company

About Us

Partner with us

Careers

Product

Health terms A to Z

Communities A to Z

Start a Community

Support

Help Centre

Community Guidelines

Contact us

Cookies settings