MORPHINE

1. Name & class of drug – generic and trade name.

GENERIC NAME: Morphine sulfate

BRAND NAME: Astramorph PF, Avinza, Duramorph, Epimorph, Kadian, MSIR, MS Contin, Oramorph SR, Roxanol 100,
Roxanol, Roxanol-T, RMS, Statex

CLASSIFICATION: CNS agent, analgesic, narcotic (opiate) agonist

2. Dose range and routes for adult & geriatric client.

PREPARATIONS: PO, IV, IM, SC, PR

DOSING: Adult (PO) 10-30mg q4h prn, or 15-30 mg sustained release q8 – 12 h.

(IV) 2.5 – 15 mg q4h, or 0.8 – 10 mg continuous infusion, or 5 – 10 mg given epidurally q24h.
(IM/SC) 5 – 20 mg q4h
(PR) 10 – 20 mg q4h prn

3. Purpose prescribed. Underline reason your client is prescribed drug.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS: Controls severe pain; also used as an adjunct to anesthesia.

USES: Symptomatic relief of severe, acute and chronic pain after non-narcotic analgesics have failed and as preanesthetic
medication; also used to relieve dyspnea of acute left ventricular failure and pulmonary edema and pain of MI.

4. Major side effects & drug interactions.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: CNS depressants, sedatives, barbiturates, alcohol, benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants
potentiate CNS depressant effects. MAO inhibitors may precipitate hypertensive crisis. Phenothiazines may antagonize
analgesia. Herbal – Kava kava, valerian, St. John’s Wort may increase sedation.

SIDE EFFECTS: depressed respiration, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision.

5. Nursing Implications & teaching.

• Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants while receiving morphine.

• Do not use 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 (eg. Driving a car) until response to drug is known since drug may cause
drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision
• Do not breast feed while taking this drug.