High Alert
Absorption: Variably absorbed (about 30%) following oral administration. More reliably absorbed from rectal, SUBQ, and IM sites. Following epidural administration, systemic absorption and absorption into the intrathecal space via the meninges occurs.
Distribution: Widely distributed to tissues.
Half-Life: Premature neonates: 1020 hr; Neonates: 7.6 hr; Infants 13 mo: 6.2 hr; Children 6 mo2.5 yr: 2.9 hr; Children 36 yr: 12 hr; Children 619 yr with sickle cell disease: 1.3 hr; Adults: 24 hr.
(analgesia)
ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
---|---|---|---|
PO | unknown | 60 min | 45 hr |
PO-ER | unknown | 34 hr | 824 hr |
IM | 1030 min | 3060 min | 45 hr |
SUBQ | 20 min | 5090 min | 45 hr |
Rect | unknown | 2060 min | 37 hr |
IV | rapid | 20 min | 45 hr |
Epidural | 630 min | 1 hr | up to 24 hr |
IT | rapid (min) | unknown | up to 24 hr |
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk. Chronic maternal treatment with opioids during pregnancy may result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
;CV: hypotension, bradycardia
Derm: flushing, itching, sweating
EENT: blurred vision, diplopia, miosis
Endo: adrenal insufficiency
GI: constipation, nausea, vomiting
Neuro: confusion, sedation, dizziness, dysphoria, euphoria, floating feeling, hallucinations, headache, unusual dreams
Resp: RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION (INCLUDING CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA AND SLEEP-RELATED HYPOXEMIA)
Misc: allodynia, opioid-induced hyperalgesia,
physical dependence
,psychological dependence
, toleranceDrug-drug:
Use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including other opioids, nonbenzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, general anesthetics, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and alcohol, may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death; reserve concurrent use for when alternative treatment options are inadequate.
Drug-Natural Products:
Assess BP, HR, and respiratory rate before and periodically during administration. If respiratory rate <10/min, assess level of sedation. Dose may need to be ↓ by 2550%. Respiratory depression does not ↑ in severity, only in duration, with ↑ dose. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation or following dose ↑; serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. May cause sleep-related breathing disorders (central sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia).
Assess risk for opioid addiction, abuse, or misuse prior to administration. Abuse or misuse of extended-release preparations by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting dissolved product will result in uncontrolled delivery of morphine and can result in overdose and death.
Lab Test Considerations:
Toxicity and Overdose:
IV Administration:
Advise patient to notify health care provider if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Inform patient of potential for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome with prolonged use during pregnancy. Monitor neonate for signs and symptoms of withdrawal (irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high-pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, failure to gain weight); these usually occur the first days after birth. Monitor infants exposed to morphine through breast milk for excess sedation and respiratory depression. Chronic use may ↓ fertility in women and men.
NDC Code