Morphine | Morphin | Painkiller

pioids are the strongest form of medication used to treat pain. Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors, which are found in many areas of the body, including the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract. An opioid attaches to the receptor, which reduces the transmission of pain messages to the brain, reducing pain. Opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain that is not well managed with other pain medications. They do not treat the underlying cause of the pain. If a cancer is causing the pain, the cancer treatment is aimed at reducing the pain.

There are several different formulations of this medicine in the market. This formulation is used for the treatment of chronic or constant pain. This medication is used for long-term around the clock treatment of pain and is considered a “long-acting” pain medication. It can be used in conjunction with other pain medications used to treat acute pain.

Oramorph | Morphine

Morphine sulfate long acting pills are available in both tablet and capsule form. The medication is released slowly over the course of the day (called extended release) and comes in a variety of doses. Your care provider will determine the exact dosage and dosing schedule. This form of painkiller can be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole.

Do not break, chew or crush the tablets as this could cause an overdose of the medication. Kadian and Avinza, the capsule formulations, can be opened and sprinkled into applesauce or pudding, but the beads should not be crushed or chewed. These medications begin working in 2 to 4 hours, and reach peak effect in 15 to 30 hours (depending on the preparation).

It can continue to work for a few days. This type of medication is designed to produce a long acting, steady amount of pain relief.

It is important to make sure you are taking the correct amount of medication every time. Before every dose, check that what you are taking matches what you have been prescribed.

This medication can interact with other medications that depress the central nervous system like barbituates (including phenobarbital), tranquilizers (including Haldol®, Librium® and Xanax ®), other narcotics, MAOI’s, cimitedine, and general anesthetic. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you take.

DO NOT share this medication or give it to someone else, as severe breathing problems and death can occur.

This medication can cause dizziness, sleepiness and confusion. You should not drive or operate machinery while taking this medication until you know how it will affect you.Store this MED at room temperature in the original container. Due to the risk of diversion (someone else taking your narcotic medication to obtain a high, rather than for symptom relief), you may want to consider keeping your medication in a lock box or other secure location. Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.

To prevent someone accidently taking this medication, it should be disposed of when no longer needed through a medicine take-back program or by dropping them off at a DEA-authorized collector. For locations near you, check www.dea.gov. Ask your pharmacist or care team for assistance in disposal of unused medications. If you cannot use these options, you can flush these medicines down the sink or toilet as soon as they are no longer needed.