Morphine: How Should I Use Morphine

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I use morphine?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take morphine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Too much morphine could be very harmful. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It will release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

Measure the liquid form of morphine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Do not stop using morphine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Store this medication at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Morphine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

After you have stopped using this medication, flush any unused pills down the toilet. Throw away any unused liquid morphine that is older than 90 days.

Last updated:	March 26, 2008