Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Treatment of severe pain

Unlicensed Uses

Cough in terminal disease
Treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal

Contraindications

Acute abdomen
Acute alcohol intoxication
Risk of paralytic ileus
Within 2 weeks of discontinuing MAOIs
Acute asthma
Acute hepatic disorder
Cardiac failure secondary to pulmonary disorder
Coma
Delayed gastric emptying
Head trauma
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Obstructive pulmonary disease
Paralytic ileus
Phaeochromocytoma
Pregnancy
Raised intracranial pressure
Respiratory depression

Precautions and Warnings

24 hours post-operatively
Children under 1 year
Debilitation
Elderly
Adrenal insufficiency
Asthma
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Biliary tract disorder
Breastfeeding
Cardiac arrhythmias
Delirium tremens
Drug misuse
Gastrointestinal obstruction
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hepatic impairment
History of alcohol abuse
History of drug misuse
History of opioid abuse
Hypotension
Hypothyroidism
Hypovolaemia
Inflammatory bowel disease
Myasthenia gravis
Myxoedema
Opioid dependence
Pancreatitis
Renal impairment
Respiratory impairment
Seizures
Urethral stricture

Avoid 4 hours before cordotomy/pain relieving surgical procedures
Reduce dose in hypothyroidism
Reduce dose in patients with hepatic impairment
Reduce dose in patients with renal impairment
Advise patient ability to drive or operate machinery may be impaired
Advise patient not to drive until they know how the medicine affects them
Advise patient this medicine is subject to driving restrictions
Contains alcohol
Contains hydroxybenzoate
Preparation contains sucrose
Monitor for constipation; give laxatives as required
Monitor patients with a history of alcoholism and drug abuse
Potential for drug abuse
Tolerance and dependence may occur
Avoid abrupt withdrawal
Discontinue if paralytic ileus is suspected
Discontinue if paralytic ileus occurs
Reduce dose in elderly
Advise patient that the effects of alcohol may be potentiated

Morphine should be used with caution post-operatively, in particular following abdominal surgery as morphine impairs intestinal motility. If paralytic ileus is suspected, or occurs, morphine should be discontinued immediately.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Morphine sulfate oral solution is contraindicated in pregnancy.

The use of morphine preparations is not recommended by the manufacturer for use during pregnancy and labour. Teratogenic effects have been observed in animal studies, but there are currently no reports linking use at therapeutic doses with major congenital defects, and there is not thought to be any increased incidence of birth defects in humans. Use for prolonged periods of time or at term should be avoided due to increased risk of neonatal respiratory depression and withdrawal following maternal use, particularly if used during labour. Use in the third trimester and during labour should therefore be avoided. Maternal addiction can also increase the risk of neonatal withdrawal syndrome. Effects on the neonate include tremors, irritability, diarrhoea, vomiting and seizures. There is a possibility of long-term or late-developing behavioural abnormalities, but the link is unclear at the time of writing.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use morphine sulfate oral solution with caution in breastfeeding.

Morphine is excreted in breast milk. However, no toxic symptoms were observed in an infant exposed to up to 12% of the maternal dose, and the levels are not thought to be clinically relevant. Morphine is considered an opiate analgesic of choice during breastfeeding due to its relatively poor oral bioavailability of 26%. The infant should be monitored for drowsiness, adequate weight gain and developmental milestones, particularly younger, exclusively breastfed infants. Medical advice should be sought immediately if the infant suffers from increased sleepiness, has difficulty breastfeeding, breathing difficulties or limpness. Particular care should be taken with children with a tendency for apnoea, due to the risk of respiratory depression, and infants should be monitored for somnolence and respiratory problems in the case of repeated doses. Opiate analgesics should only be used for short periods of time during breastfeeding; consider limiting the mother's parenteral morphine dosage by supplementing analgesia with a non-opioid analgesic. The long-term effects on neurobehaviour and development are unknown at the time of writing, but warrant further study.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Abdominal pain
Abnormal thinking
Agitation
Amenorrhoea
Anaphylactoid reaction
Anaphylaxis
Anorexia
Anti-diuretic effect
Asthenia
Biliary spasm
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Confusion
Constipation
Cough suppression
Delirium
Dependence
Depression
Disorientation
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Dyspepsia
Dysphoria
Erectile dysfunction
Euphoria
Excitation
Facial flushing
Fasciculation
Gastro-intestinal disturbances
Hallucinations
Headache
Hyperhidrosis
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hypertension
Hypertonia
Hypotension
Hypothermia
Ileus
Increases in hepatic enzymes
Infertility
Insomnia
Malaise
Micturition disorders
Miosis
Mood changes
Muscle rigidity
Myoclonus
Nausea
Nystagmus
Oedema
Orthostatic hypotension
Palpitations
Pancreatitis
Paraesthesia
Pruritus
Raised intracranial pressure
Rash
Reduced libido
Respiratory depression
Restlessness
Rhabdomyolysis
Seizures
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep disturbances
Somnolence
Syncope
Tachycardia
Taste disturbances
Tolerance
Ureteric spasm
Urinary retention
Urticaria
Vertigo
Visual disturbances
Vomiting
Withdrawal symptoms

Presentation

Oral solution containing morphine sulfate.

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Treatment of severe pain

Unlicensed Uses

Cough in terminal disease
Treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal

Dosage

The dosage is dependent on the severity of the pain and the patient's previous history of analgesic requirements. Increasing severity of pain or tolerance to morphine will require increased dosage to achieve the desired relief.

A reduced dose may be appropriate where sedation is undesirable.

Adults

Elderly

Children

Neonates

Patients with Renal Impairment

Additional Dosage Information

Contraindications

Acute abdomen
Acute alcohol intoxication
Risk of paralytic ileus
Within 2 weeks of discontinuing MAOIs
Acute asthma
Acute hepatic disorder
Cardiac failure secondary to pulmonary disorder
Coma
Delayed gastric emptying
Head trauma
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Obstructive pulmonary disease
Paralytic ileus
Phaeochromocytoma
Pregnancy
Raised intracranial pressure
Respiratory depression

Precautions and Warnings

24 hours post-operatively
Children under 1 year
Debilitation
Elderly
Adrenal insufficiency
Asthma
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Biliary tract disorder
Breastfeeding
Cardiac arrhythmias
Delirium tremens
Drug misuse
Gastrointestinal obstruction
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hepatic impairment
History of alcohol abuse
History of drug misuse
History of opioid abuse
Hypotension
Hypothyroidism
Hypovolaemia
Inflammatory bowel disease
Myasthenia gravis
Myxoedema
Opioid dependence
Pancreatitis
Renal impairment
Respiratory impairment
Seizures
Urethral stricture

Avoid 4 hours before cordotomy/pain relieving surgical procedures
Reduce dose in hypothyroidism
Reduce dose in patients with hepatic impairment
Reduce dose in patients with renal impairment
Advise patient ability to drive or operate machinery may be impaired
Advise patient not to drive until they know how the medicine affects them
Advise patient this medicine is subject to driving restrictions
Contains alcohol
Contains hydroxybenzoate
Preparation contains sucrose
Monitor for constipation; give laxatives as required
Monitor patients with a history of alcoholism and drug abuse
Potential for drug abuse
Tolerance and dependence may occur
Avoid abrupt withdrawal
Discontinue if paralytic ileus is suspected
Discontinue if paralytic ileus occurs
Reduce dose in elderly
Advise patient that the effects of alcohol may be potentiated

Morphine should be used with caution post-operatively, in particular following abdominal surgery as morphine impairs intestinal motility. If paralytic ileus is suspected, or occurs, morphine should be discontinued immediately.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Morphine sulfate oral solution is contraindicated in pregnancy.

The use of morphine preparations is not recommended by the manufacturer for use during pregnancy and labour. Teratogenic effects have been observed in animal studies, but there are currently no reports linking use at therapeutic doses with major congenital defects, and there is not thought to be any increased incidence of birth defects in humans. Use for prolonged periods of time or at term should be avoided due to increased risk of neonatal respiratory depression and withdrawal following maternal use, particularly if used during labour. Use in the third trimester and during labour should therefore be avoided. Maternal addiction can also increase the risk of neonatal withdrawal syndrome. Effects on the neonate include tremors, irritability, diarrhoea, vomiting and seizures. There is a possibility of long-term or late-developing behavioural abnormalities, but the link is unclear at the time of writing.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use morphine sulfate oral solution with caution in breastfeeding.

Morphine is excreted in breast milk. However, no toxic symptoms were observed in an infant exposed to up to 12% of the maternal dose, and the levels are not thought to be clinically relevant. Morphine is considered an opiate analgesic of choice during breastfeeding due to its relatively poor oral bioavailability of 26%. The infant should be monitored for drowsiness, adequate weight gain and developmental milestones, particularly younger, exclusively breastfed infants. Medical advice should be sought immediately if the infant suffers from increased sleepiness, has difficulty breastfeeding, breathing difficulties or limpness. Particular care should be taken with children with a tendency for apnoea, due to the risk of respiratory depression, and infants should be monitored for somnolence and respiratory problems in the case of repeated doses. Opiate analgesics should only be used for short periods of time during breastfeeding; consider limiting the mother's parenteral morphine dosage by supplementing analgesia with a non-opioid analgesic. The long-term effects on neurobehaviour and development are unknown at the time of writing, but warrant further study.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery

This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (England and Wales). This medicine may be subject to police testing and has specified maximum blood levels for driving. When prescribing this medicine: Advise patient the medicine can affect cognitive function and is likely to affect ability to drive. Advise patient not to drive until they know how the medicine affects them. It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine. However, a patient is not committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if: 1.The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and 2.The medicine has been taken according to the instructions given by the prescriber and/or in the information provided with the medicine and 3.The medicine was not affecting the ability to drive safely. For further guidance see https://www.gov.uk

Counselling

Advise patients that morphine may reduce attention and reaction time and so impair the ability to drive or to operate machines. This should be anticipated particularly at the beginning of treatment, when dosage is increased or when associated with concomitant alcohol or other sedative medicines.

Advise patients to avoid alcohol during treatment.

Side Effects

Abdominal pain
Abnormal thinking
Agitation
Amenorrhoea
Anaphylactoid reaction
Anaphylaxis
Anorexia
Anti-diuretic effect
Asthenia
Biliary spasm
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Confusion
Constipation
Cough suppression
Delirium
Dependence
Depression
Disorientation
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Dyspepsia
Dysphoria
Erectile dysfunction
Euphoria
Excitation
Facial flushing
Fasciculation
Gastro-intestinal disturbances
Hallucinations
Headache
Hyperhidrosis
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hypertension
Hypertonia
Hypotension
Hypothermia
Ileus
Increases in hepatic enzymes
Infertility
Insomnia
Malaise
Micturition disorders
Miosis
Mood changes
Muscle rigidity
Myoclonus
Nausea
Nystagmus
Oedema
Orthostatic hypotension
Palpitations
Pancreatitis
Paraesthesia
Pruritus
Raised intracranial pressure
Rash
Reduced libido
Respiratory depression
Restlessness
Rhabdomyolysis
Seizures
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep disturbances
Somnolence
Syncope
Tachycardia
Taste disturbances
Tolerance
Ureteric spasm
Urinary retention
Urticaria
Vertigo
Visual disturbances
Vomiting
Withdrawal symptoms

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: March 2014

Reference Sources

Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London.

Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk, 9th edition (2011) ed. Briggs, G., Freeman, R. and Yaffe, S. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Medications and Mothers' Milk, 14th Edition (2010) Hale, T. Hale Publishing, Amarillo, Texas.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Oramorph oral solution. Boehringer Ingelheim Limited. Revised October 2012

The Renal Drug Handbook. 3rd edition. (2009) ed. Ashley, C and Currie, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, Abingdon.

US National Library of Medicine. Toxicology Data Network. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Record 370 - Morphine
Available at: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
Last revised: 16 January 2014
Last accessed: March 05, 2014

Gov.uk. Government departments. Department for Transport. Publications. Drug driving and medicine: advice for healthcare professionals. Drug driving: Guidance for healthcare professionals on drug driving. Available at: https://www.gov.uk Last accessed: 6 January 2015

NICE Evidence Services Available at: www.nice.org.uk Last accessed: 08 September 2017