Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs morphine
Acetaminophen and morphine are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acetaminophen since 1968 and of morphine since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $0.226 per morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the morphine record
Morphine (Duramorph) · label of July 13, 2026
ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY (REMS); LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Morphine sulfate exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMorphine sulfate extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 18, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.226 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 66
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Morphine label of July 13, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and morphine differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; morphine since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: acetaminophen none; morphine CII.
| Acetaminophen | Morphine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Morphine is a full opioid agonist is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of morphine is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The elimination of morphine occurs primarily as renal excretion of M3G and its effective half-life after intravenous administration is normally 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | September 18, 1984 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | October 7, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $0.226 per tablet (Morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 66 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 120,591 |
| DEA schedule | none | CII |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions