MORPHINE SULFATE

(mor'feen)
Astramorph PF, Avinza, DepoDur, Duramorph, Epimorph , Kadian, MSIR, MS Contin,
Oramorph SR, Roxanol, RMS, Statex
Classifications: central nervous system (cns) agent; analgesic; narcotic (opiate) agonist
Pregnancy Category: B (D in long-term use or high dose)
Controlled Substance: Schedule II

Availability
10 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg tablets/capsules; 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg,
200 mg controlled release tablets/capsules; 10 mg/2.5 mL, 10 mg/5 ml, 20 mg/mL, 20
mg/5 mL, 30 mg/1.5 mL, 100 mg/5 mL oral solution; 0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL, 4
mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 8 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL injection; 10
mg/mL, 15 mg/1.5 mL, 20 mg/2 mL extended-release lysosomal injection; 5 mg, 10 mg,
20 mg, 30 mg suppositories

Actions
Natural opium alkaloid with agonist activity by binding with the same receptors as
endogenous opioid peptides. Narcotic agonist effects are identified with 3 types of
receptors: Analgesia at supraspinal level, euphoria, respiratory depression and physical
dependence; analgesia at spinal level, sedation and miosis; and dysphoric, hallucinogenic
and cardiac stimulant effects.

Therapeutic Effects
Controls severe pain; also used as an adjunct to anesthesia.

Uses
Symptomatic relief of severe acute and chronic pain after nonnarcotic analgesics have
failed and as preanesthetic medication; also used to relieve dyspnea of acute left
ventricular failure and pulmonary edema and pain of MI.

Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to opiates; increased intracranial pressure; convulsive disorders; acute
alcoholism; acute bronchial asthma, chronic pulmonary diseases, severe respiratory
depression; chemical-irritant induced pulmonary edema; prostatic hypertrophy; diarrhea
caused by poisoning until the toxic material has been eliminated; undiagnosed acute
abdominal conditions; following biliary tract surgery and surgical anastomosis;
pancreatitis; acute ulcerative colitis; severe liver or renal insufficiency; Addison's disease;
hypothyroidism; during labor for delivery of a premature infant, in premature infants;
pregnancy (category B; D in long-term use or when high dose is used); lactation.

Cautious Use
Toxic psychosis; cardiac arrhythmias, cardiovascular disease; emphysema;
kyphoscoliosis; cor pulmonale; severe obesity; reduced blood volume; very old, very
young, or debilitated patients; labor.

Route & Dosage

Pain Relief
Adult: PO 10–30 mg q4h prn or 15–30 mg sustained release q8–12h; (Kadian) dose q12–
24h, increase dose prn for pain relief IV 2.5–15 mg q4h or 0.8–10 mg/h by continuous
infusion, may increase prn to control pain or 5–10 mg given epidurally q24h Epidural
(DepoDur only) 10–15 mg as single dose 30 min before surgery (max: 20 mg) IM/SC 5–
20 mg q4h PR 10–20 mg q4h prn
Child: IV 0.05–0.1 mg/kg q4h or 0.025–2.6 mg/kg/h by continuous infusion IM/SC 0.1–
0.2 mg/kg q4h (max: 15 mg/dose) PO 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q4–6h; 0.3–0.6 mg/kg sustained
release q12h
Neonate: IV/IM/SC 0.05 mg/kg q4–8h (max: 0.1 mg/kg) or 0.01–0.02 mg/kg/h

Administration
Oral

• Use a fixed, individualized schedule when narcotic analgesic therapy is started to

provide effective management; blood levels can be maintained and peaks of pain
can be prevented (usually a 4-h interval is adequate).
• Use lower dosage for older adult or debilitated patients than for adults.
• Do not break in half, crush, or allow sustained release tablet to be chewed.
• Do not give patient sustained release tablet within 24 h of surgery.
• Dilute oral solution in approximately 30 mL or more of fluid or semisolid food. A
calibrated dropper comes with the bottle. Read labels carefully when using liquid
preparation; available solutions: 20 mg/mL; 100 mg/mL.

Intravenous

• Note: Verify correct IV concentration and rate of infusion/injection for

 administration to neonates, infants, or children with physician.

PREPARE: Direct: Dilute 2–10 mg in at least 5 mL of sterile water for injection.

ADMINISTER: Direct: Give a single dose over 4–5 min. Avoid rapid administration.

INCOMPATIBILITIES Solution/additive: Aminophylline, amobarbital,

chlorothiazide, floxacillin, fluorouracil, haloperidol, heparin, meperidine,
pentobarbital, phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium bicarbonate, thiopental. Y-site:
Amphotericin B cholesteryl complex, cefepime, doxorubicin liposome, minocycline,
sargramostim, tetracycline.

• Store at 15°–30° C (59°–86° F). Avoid freezing. Refrigerate suppositories. Protect

all formulations from light.

Adverse Effects ( 1%)

Body as a Whole: Hypersensitivity [Pruritus, rash, urticaria, edema, hemorrhagic urticaria
(rare), anaphylactoid reaction (rare)], sweating, skeletal muscle flaccidity; cold, clammy
skin, hypothermia. CNS: Euphoria, insomnia, disorientation, visual disturbances,
dysphoria, paradoxic CNS stimulation (restlessness, tremor, delirium, insomnia),
convulsions (infants and children); decreased cough reflex, drowsiness, dizziness, deep
sleep, coma, continuous intrathecal infusion may cause granulomas leading to paralysis.
Special Senses: Miosis. CV: Bradycardia, palpitations, syncope; flushing of face, neck,
and upper thorax; orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrest. GI: Constipation, anorexia, dry
mouth, biliary colic, nausea, vomiting, elevated transaminase levels. Urogenital: Urinary
retention or urgency, dysuria, oliguria, reduced libido or potency (prolonged use). Other:
Prolonged labor and respiratory depression of newborn. Hematologic: Precipitation of
porphyria. Respiratory: Severe respiratory depression (as low as 2–4/min) or arrest;
pulmonary edema.

Diagnostic Test Interference

False-positive urine glucose determinations may occur using Benedict's solution. Plasma
amylase and lipase determinations may be falsely positive for 24 h after use of morphine;
transaminase levels may be elevated.

Interactions
Drug: cns depressants, sedatives, barbiturates, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic
antidepressants potentiate CNS depressant effects. Use mao inhibitors cautiously; they
may precipitate hypertensive crisis. phenothiazines may antagonize analgesia. Herbal:
Kava-kava, valerian, St. John's wort may increase sedation.

Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Variably absorbed from GI tract. Peak: 60 min PO; 20–60 min PR; 50–90
min SC; 30–60 min IM; 20 min IV. Duration: Up to 7 h. Distribution: Crosses blood–
brain barrier and placenta; distributed in breast milk. Metabolism: Metabolized primarily
in liver. Elimination: 90% of drug and metabolites excreted in urine in 24 h; 7%–10%
excreted in bile.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects

• Obtain baseline respiratory rate, depth, and rhythm and size of pupils before
administering the drug. Respirations of 12/min or below and miosis are signs of
toxicity. Withhold drug and report to physician.
• Observe patient closely to be certain pain relief is achieved. Record relief of pain
and duration of analgesia.
• Be alert to elevated pulse or respiratory rate, restlessness, anorexia, or drawn
facial expression that may indicate need for analgesia.
• Differentiate among restlessness as a sign of pain and the need for medication,
restlessness associated with hypoxia, and restlessness caused by morphine-
induced CNS stimulation (a paradoxic reaction that is particularly common in
women and older adult patients).
• Monitor for respiratory depression; it can be severe for as long as 24 h after
epidural or intrathecal administration.
• Monitor carefully those at risk for severe respiratory depression after epidural or
intrathecal injection: Older adult or debilitated patients or those with decreased
respiratory reserve (e.g., emphysema, severe obesity, kyphoscoliosis).
• Continue monitoring for respiratory depression for at least 24 h after each
epidural or intrathecal dose.
• Assess vital signs at regular intervals. Morphine-induced respiratory depression
may occur even with small doses, and it increases progressively with higher doses
(generally max: 90 min after SC, 30 min after IM, and 7 min after IV).
• Encourage changes in position, deep breathing, and coughing (unless
contraindicated) at regularly scheduled intervals. Narcotic analgesics also depress
cough and sigh reflexes and thus may induce atelectasis, especially in
postoperative patients.
• Be alert for nausea and orthostatic hypotension (with light-headedness and
dizziness) in ambulatory patients or when a supine patient assumes the head-up
position or in patients not experiencing severe pain.
 • Monitor I&O ratio and pattern. Report oliguria or urinary retention. Morphine
may dull perception of bladder stimuli; therefore, encourage the patient to void at
least q4h. Palpate lower abdomen to detect bladder distention.

Patient & Family Education

• Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants while receiving morphine.

• Do not use of any OTC drug unless approved by physician.
• Do not smoke or ambulate without assistance after receiving drug. Bedside rails
are advised.
• Use caution or avoid tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving a car) until response to
drug is known since morphine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision.
• Do not breast feed while taking this drug.

Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined: generic names in

bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; Canadian drug name; Prototype drug

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