Duramorph

Generic Name: morphine (Injection route)

MOR-feen

Injection route(Solution)

Misuse or erroneous substitution of Infumorph(TM) 200 or 500 (10 or 25 mg/mL, respectively) for Duramorph(TM) (0.5 or 1 mg/mL) may result in overdose, seizures, respiratory depression, or possibly death. With the use of morphine sulfate, there is a risk of severe adverse effects when the epidural, intrathecal, or catheter implantation route of administration is employed. Monitor patients closely and have naloxone injection and resuscitative equipment immediately available. Do not use Infumorph(TM) for single-dose intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous administration due to the possible risk of overdose. For Duramorph(TM), the intrathecal dosage is usually 1/10 that of epidural dosage .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Astramorph PF


• Duramorph


• Infumorph

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution


• Injectable

Therapeutic Class: Analgesic

Chemical Class: Opioid

Uses For Duramorph

Morphine injection is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It may also be used before or during surgery with an anesthetic (medicine that puts you to sleep). Morphine belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.

When a narcotic medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Duramorph

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of morphine injection in children 1 month of age and older. Safety and efficacy in infants younger than 1 month of age have not been established. Morphine injections into the back are not recommended for children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of morphine injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving morphine injection.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Brofaromine


• Clorgyline


• Furazolidone


• Iproniazid


• Isocarboxazid


• Lazabemide


• Linezolid


• Moclobemide


• Naltrexone


• Nialamide


• Pargyline


• Phenelzine


• Procarbazine


• Rasagiline


• Selegiline


• Toloxatone


• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Adinazolam


• Alfentanil


• Alprazolam


• Amobarbital


• Anileridine


• Aprobarbital


• Bromazepam


• Brotizolam


• Buprenorphine


• Butabarbital


• Butalbital


• Butorphanol


• Carisoprodol


• Chloral Hydrate


• Chlordiazepoxide


• Chlorpromazine


• Chlorzoxazone


• Cimetidine


• Clobazam


• Clonazepam


• Clorazepate


• Codeine


• Dantrolene


• Dezocine


• Diazepam


• Estazolam


• Ethchlorvynol


• Fentanyl


• Flunitrazepam


• Fluphenazine


• Flurazepam


• Halazepam


• Hydrocodone


• Hydromorphone


• Ketazolam


• Levorphanol


• Lorazepam


• Lormetazepam


• Medazepam


• Meperidine


• Mephenesin


• Mephobarbital


• Meprobamate


• Metaxalone


• Methocarbamol


• Methohexital


• Midazolam


• Morphine


• Morphine Sulfate Liposome


• Nalbuphine


• Nitrazepam


• Nordazepam


• Opium


• Oxazepam


• Oxycodone


• Oxymorphone


• Pentazocine


• Pentobarbital


• Perphenazine


• Phenobarbital


• Prazepam


• Prochlorperazine


• Promazine


• Promethazine


• Propoxyphene


• Quazepam


• Remifentanil


• Secobarbital


• Sodium Oxybate


• Sufentanil


• Tapentadol


• Temazepam


• Thiethylperazine


• Thiopental


• Thioridazine


• Triazolam


• Trifluoperazine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cyclosporine


• Esmolol


• Gabapentin


• Rifampin


• Somatostatin


• Yohimbine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Addison's disease (adrenal gland problem) or


• Alcohol abuse, or history of or


• Asthma, severe or


• Breathing problems, severe (e.g., hypoxia) or


• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or


• Cor pulmonale (serious heart condition) or


• Drug dependence, especially with narcotics, or history of or


• Enlarged prostate (BPH, prostatic hypertrophy) or


• Gallbladder disease or gallstones or


• Head injuries, history of or


• Heart disease or


• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or


• Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or


• Kyphoscoliosis (curvature of the spine with breathing problems) or


• Problems with passing urine or


• Respiratory depression (very slow breathing) or


• Ulcerative colitis—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.

• Brain tumor or


• Heart failure from lung disease or


• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., atrial flutter, tachycardia)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Hypotension (low blood pressure) or


• Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of morphine

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain morphine. It may not be specific to Duramorph. Please read with care.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine may be given as a shot under the skin, as a shot into one of your muscles, or through a needle placed in one of your veins. It can also be given through a needle or catheter into your back.

Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Precautions While Using Duramorph

It is very important that your doctor check the progress or you or your child while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before you or your child take any of the medicines listed above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you or your child feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you or your child to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in the diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you or your child get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve the dizziness or lightheadedness.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, confused, or disoriented. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you or your child are using this medicine. Serious unwanted effects can occur if certain medicines are given together with morphine injection.

If you or your child have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or longer, do not suddenly stop using it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Duramorph Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Difficult or troubled breathing


• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing


• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin


• shortness of breath


• very slow breathing

Incidence not known

• Blurred vision


• convulsions


• decrease in frequency of urination


• decrease in the amount of urine


• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


• painful urination


• sweating


• unusual tiredness or weakness

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

Symptoms of overdose

• Bluish lips or skin


• dizziness


• fainting


• irregular heartbeat


• lightheadedness


• low blood pressure or pulse


• slow heartbeat


• unconsciousness

Some side effects 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:

Incidence not known

• Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods


• anxiety


• confusion


• decreased interest in sexual intercourse


• delusions


• depersonalization


• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)


• false or unusual sense of well-being


• hallucinations


• headache


• inability to have or keep an erection


• itching skin


• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance


• menstrual changes


• nausea and vomiting


• stopping of menstrual bleeding

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Duramorph side effects (in more detail)

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More Duramorph resources

• Duramorph Side Effects (in more detail)
• Duramorph Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Duramorph Drug Interactions
• Duramorph Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Duramorph - Add your own review/rating

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