What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Midazolam and morphine
Midazolam's FDA label of January 1, 2024 names morphine in its drug interactions section; morphine's label does not name midazolam itself but warns about its class (Benzodiazepines). The midazolam label: “The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. …”
Check it at the source: the midazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2024, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC); the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026, Bryant Ranch Prepack).
What does the midazolam label say about morphine?
Midazolam label, drug interactionsOther CNS Depressants The sedative effect of intravenous midazolam is accentuated by any concomitantly administered medication, which depresses the central nervous system, particularly opioids (e.g., morphine, meperidine and fentanyl) and also secobarbital and droperidol.
N/A label (Rafa Laboratories, Ltd., February 18, 2026), drug interactionsOther CNS Depressants and Alcohol The sedative effect of Midazolam Injection is accentuated by concomitantly administered medication that depresses the central nervous system, particularly opioids (e.g., morphine, meperidine, and fentanyl), secobarbital, and droperidol, and also by alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.4, 5.6)].
Nayzilam label (UCB, Inc., January 19, 2023), drug interactions7.2 Opioids Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABA A sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. … Intervention: Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required [see ]. Examples: Morphine, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, codeine, fentanyl
Source: FDA drug label (N/A, NDA216359), Rafa Laboratories, Ltd., effective February 18, 2026 (SPL set d7362b4d-68a3-99a0-e053-2995a90a4f60), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Nayzilam, NDA211321), UCB, Inc., effective January 19, 2023 (SPL set 2b29422e-54d5-4a49-8522-e9cf752368c3), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Midazolam In Sodium Chloride, NDA211844), WG Critical Care, LLC., effective July 31, 2025 (SPL set f051776f-94c5-4e34-80ed-f45b9c36881e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Midazolam), Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, effective January 1, 2024 (SPL set 1cc9ba6e-fa1b-405e-9de8-720c567b2a73), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the morphine label say about midazolam?
Morphine's label does not name midazolam itself; it warns about its class (Benzodiazepines):
Morphine label, boxed warningInstruct patients to swallow MS CONTIN tablets whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose of morphine. ( 5.2 ) Accidental ingestion of MS CONTIN, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of morphine. ( 5.2 ) Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Morphine label, boxed warningRisks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Drug Interactions (7)].
Source: FDA drug label (Morphine sulfate), ANDA078761 (Sun Pharm Inds Ltd), as published by Bryant Ranch Prepack, effective July 13, 2026 (SPL set 595243fe-a4b1-479a-99d6-a084a4181891), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Midazolam | Morphine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.233 per mL 2 mg/2 mL vial | $0.226 per tablet 15 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | In shortage | In shortage |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once