morphine
Brand names: MS Contin, Kadian
Morphine is a strong pain medicine. It is used to treat severe pain that needs an opioid medicine when other treatments don't work well enough.
Drug Shortage Alert
morphine is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Piramal Critical Care Inc.. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.04/unit
Generic Available
Yes (24 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Morphine is used to manage severe pain in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds.
Common side effects
Constipation, Nausea, Feeling sleepy
Key warnings
Morphine can cause addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
How It Works
Morphine works by attaching to receptors in the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are involved in sending pain signals. By binding to these receptors, morphine blocks pain signals and reduces pain.
How to Take It
Take morphine tablets exactly as your doctor tells you. Adults and children over 110 lbs usually start with 15 to 30 mg every 4 hours as needed. Your doctor may change your dose to best control your pain. Do not stop taking morphine suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Morphine may harm your unborn baby. Using morphine for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store morphine tablets at room temperature (68° to 77°F) and protect them from moisture. Keep the tablets in a safe place.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 44,208 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 72,146 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1998–2025.
Total Reports
72,146
Death-Related Reports
19,827
Hospitalization Reports
29,772
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAIN | 5,858 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 5,536 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 5,007 |
| 4 | VOMITING | 4,337 |
| 5 | DEATH | 4,306 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 4,130 |
| 7 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 4,086 |
| 8 | OFF LABEL USE | 3,864 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 3,619 |
| 10 | DYSPNOEA | 3,476 |
| 11 | HEADACHE | 3,038 |
| 12 | PNEUMONIA | 2,938 |
| 13 | PYREXIA | 2,878 |
| 14 | DRUG ABUSE | 2,754 |
| 15 | MALAISE | 2,582 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Morphine can cause addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. It can also cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially when you start taking it or after a dose increase. Accidental ingestion, especially by children, can cause a fatal overdose. Taking morphine with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (including alcohol) can cause severe sedation, breathing problems, coma, and death. If you use morphine for a long time during pregnancy, your baby could have withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Known Drug Interactions
Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that effect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
Mechanism: Both drugs can increase a brain chemical called serotonin, which may lead to a rare but serious reaction.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for symptoms like confusion, fast heartbeat, or muscle stiffness.
Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that effect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
Mechanism: Both drugs increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. Taking them together can cause serotonin levels to rise to an unsafe level.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of a serious reaction, such as confusion, shivering, or muscle twitches.
Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that effect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Examples: Cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone Cimetidine Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of morphine ...
Mechanism: This muscle relaxant affects the serotonin system in your body. When combined with morphine, it can increase the risk of a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.
What to do: Watch for symptoms like a fast heartbeat or stiff muscles and report them to your healthcare provider immediately.
Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that effect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
Mechanism: These medications both change how serotonin works in your nervous system. Using them at the same time can cause too much serotonin to build up.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor you more often, especially when you first start taking these medicines together.
Examples: Quinidine, verapamil.
Mechanism: Verapamil can change how your body processes and moves morphine. This may lead to higher levels of morphine in your blood than usual.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your morphine dose or check on you more frequently for side effects like extra sleepiness.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking morphine?
Can I drink alcohol while taking morphine?
What should I do if I accidentally take too much morphine?
Can I take other medications with morphine?
How do I know if I am becoming addicted to morphine?
What are the symptoms of morphine withdrawal?
Can morphine cause constipation?
Will morphine cure my pain?
How long will I need to take morphine?
Is it safe to share my morphine with someone else?
What are the common side effects of morphine?
Does morphine interact with other medications?
What drug class is morphine?
Is morphine safe during pregnancy?
Has morphine been recalled?
Is morphine currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Correct Labeled Product Mispack-Size stated on carton label did not match the size of the bottle in the carton.
Winder Laboratories, LLC
Related Medications in Opioid Analgesic
Other drugs grouped near morphine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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Vicodin, Norco
This medicine contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
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Percocet
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for morphine
The FDA label for morphine (sold under brand names such as MS Contin, Kadian) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Opioid Analgesic class. Morphine is used to manage severe pain in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Constipation, Nausea, Feeling sleepy.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 44,208 voluntary reports. The database also lists 30 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.04.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 10, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages