About morphine hydrochloride
Opioid pain reliever
Used for
- Relief of severe pain when other treatments are inadequate
- Pain relief during surgery or other medical procedures
Usual adult dose
Usually 2.5–10 mg by injection every 3–4 hours as needed; dose and route depend on clinical circumstances.
Usual dose in children
Doses are weight-based and vary by age and route; used only under specialist supervision.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Constipation
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Low blood pressure or itching
Important warnings
- Can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially with alcohol or sedatives.
- May cause dependence, misuse, and withdrawal after regular use.
- Use cautiously with breathing disorders, head injury, or severe liver or kidney problems.
- Injection requires trained healthcare professionals and careful monitoring.
Pregnancy
Use only when clinically necessary; prolonged use can cause newborn withdrawal, and use near delivery may depress newborn breathing.
Breastfeeding
Morphine can enter breast milk and may cause infant sleepiness or breathing problems; use requires clinical assessment and monitoring.
Interactions
- Alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleeping medicines, and other sedatives increase breathing and sedation risks.
- Other opioids increase sedation and breathing risks.
- Some antidepressants and other medicines affecting serotonin may increase serotonin syndrome risk.
- Rifampicin may reduce morphine effects; medicines that slow gut movement may worsen constipation.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.