kadian and Alcohol ethyl Interactions

Interactions between kadian(morphine) and Alcohol ethyl (ethanol)

morphine and ethanol (Major Drug-Drug)

GENERALLY AVOID: The central nervous system-depressant effects of morphine and alcohol may be additive. The combination may result in additive CNS-depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, and coma can occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking some sustained-release formulations of morphine may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high systemic levels of morphine that may be potentially lethal. Alcohol apparently can disrupt the release mechanism of some sustained-release formulations. The interaction was observed in in vitro studies using two different brands of 24-hour morphine capsules. When the capsule was mixed with 900 mL of buffer solutions containing ethanol 20% and 40%, the dose of morphine that was released was alcohol concentration-dependent, leading to a more rapid release of morphine. Although the clinical relevance of this finding is unknown, 'dose-dumping' into the bloodstream is conceivable.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, patients taking sustained-release formulations of morphine should not consume alcohol or use medications that contain alcohol. In general, potent narcotics such as morphine should not be combined with alcohol.