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Morphine Rapi-Ject Side Effects

Generic name: morphine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 30, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about morphine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Morphine Rapi-Ject.

Applies to morphine: oral capsule extended release, oral capsule extended release 24 hr, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release. Other dosage forms:

Warning

Oral route (Capsule, Extended Release; Solution; Tablet; Tablet, Extended Release)

Addiction, Abuse, and MisuseMorphine sulfate exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient’s risk before prescribing, and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for these products.Life-Threatening Respiratory DepressionSerious, life-threatening or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dose increase. Instruct patients to swallow morphine sulfate whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose of morphine.Accidental IngestionAccidental ingestion of morphine sulfate, especially in children, can result in fatal overdose of morphine.Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal SyndromeProlonged use of morphine sulfate during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. If prolonged opioid use is required in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines or Other CNS DepressantsConcomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; limit dosages and durations to the minimum required; and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Serious side effects of Morphine Rapi-Ject

Along with its needed effects, morphine (the active ingredient contained in Morphine Rapi-Ject) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking morphine:

Less common

Incidence not known

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking morphine:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Morphine Rapi-Ject

Some side effects of morphine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to morphine: compounding powder, injectable solution, injectable tablet soluble, intramuscular solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral liquid, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, rectal suppository, spinal solution.

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (28%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, sedation, fever, anxiety, confusion, tremor, diaphoresis, lethargy, feeling of warmth

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Withdrawal symptoms after either abrupt cessation or fast tapering of the drug, headache, chills, flu syndrome, malaise, withdrawal syndrome, pallor, facial flushing, syncope, loss of concentration, insomnia, amnesia, paresthesia, agitation, vertigo, foot drop, ataxia, hypesthesia, slurred speech, hallucinations, euphoria, apathy, seizures, myoclonus

Frequency not reported: Inflammatory masses including granulomas (some of which have resulted in serous neurologic impairment including paralysis) in patients receiving continuous infusion of opioids via indwelling intrathecal catheter[Ref]

Central nervous system side effects may be either depressant or excitatory. Excitatory symptoms are sometimes ignored as possible side effects of morphine. Severe adverse effects such as respiratory depression can be treated with the opioid antagonist naloxone.

Patients receiving continuous infusion of morphine sulfate via indwelling intrathecal catheter should be monitored for new neurologic signs or symptoms. Further assessment or intervention should be based on the clinical condition of the individual patient.

Myoclonic spasms may occur in patients receiving high dose morphine, particularly in the setting of renal dysfunction. Hyperalgesia has also been reported with high doses.[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory depression

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hiccup, rhinitis, atelectasis, asthma, hypoxia, voice alteration, depressed cough reflex, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, bronchospasm[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Morphine may cause constriction of the common bile duct and spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, thereby increasing intrabiliary pressure and worsening, rather than relieving, biliary colic.

In addition, morphine (the active ingredient contained in Morphine Rapi-Ject) may cause intense but uncoordinated duodenal contraction and decreased gastric emptying.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia, dyspepsia, stomach atony disorder, gastroesophageal reflux, delayed gastric emptying, biliary colic, increased gastroesophageal reflux, intestinal obstruction[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, bradycardia, vasodilation[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal thinking, abnormal dreams, depression, fearfulness, agitation, paranoia, psychosis, hypervigilance, hallucinations, delirium

Frequency not reported: Withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation of therapy[Ref]

Genitourinary

The risk of acute urinary retention is very high when morphine (the active ingredient contained in Morphine Rapi-Ject) is administered by epidural or intrathecal injection. Clinicians should be attentive to the increased risk of urosepsis in this setting, particularly if instrumentation of the urinary tract is necessary.[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary abnormality, urinary retention, urinary hesitancy[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, leukopenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia[Ref]

Endocrine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyponatremia due to inappropriate ADH secretion, gynecomastia, amenorrhea, reduced libido, reduced potency, prolonged labor[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, accidental injury

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, bone pain, arthralgia

Frequency not reported: Opioid-induced involuntary muscle hyperactivity with chronic high doses[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decubitus ulcer, pruritus, skin flush[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amblyopia, conjunctivitis, miosis, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increases in hepatic enzymes[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyponatremia

Frequently asked questions

References

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.