Two medicines, side by side
Morphine vs oxycodone
Morphine and oxycodone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of morphine since 1984 and of oxycodone since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.226 per morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet and $0.0884 per oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Morphine, “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.”; Oxycodone, “Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses.”
Check it at the source: the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026); the oxycodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 2026).
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
Highlights of the oxycodone record
Oxycodone (Oxycontin) · label of May 6, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets expose users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient's risk before prescribing and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets are an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 26, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0884 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Morphine label of July 13, 2026, Oxycodone label of May 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do morphine and oxycodone differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Morphine, “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.”; Oxycodone, “Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses.”
Both are in FDA's class opioid agonists.
Half-life, in each label's words: Morphine, “Excretion The elimination of morphine occurs primarily as renal excretion of M3G and its effective half-life after …”; Oxycodone, “Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: morphine since 1986; oxycodone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Morphine | Oxycodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Opioid Agonist | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | 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. | Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxycodone is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | 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. | Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 18, 1984 | October 26, 1998 |
| First generic approved | October 7, 1986 | February 6, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.226 per tablet (Morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet) | $0.0884 per tablet (Oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 66 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 120,591 | 311,625 |
| DEA schedule | CII | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Oxycodone label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: The concomitant risk of anticholinergic drugs may result in increased risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus. … ( 7 ) Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Can potentiate the effects of morphine. Avoid concomitant use in patients receiving MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping treatment with an MAOI.
Oxycodone label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: The concomitant risk of anticholinergic drugs may result in increased risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus. … ( 7 ) Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Can potentiate the effects of morphine. Avoid concomitant use in patients receiving MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping treatment with an MAOI.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Oxycodone label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to morphine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions