Morphine Sulfate (Controlled Release Tablets/Extended Release Capsules)

Morphine sulfate pills help control severe pain in patients who need round-the-clock pain management as a result of certain types of cancer or after surgery. This medication stays in the body for a long period of time in order to continuously control pain. It works by numbing nerve impulses so that the brain does not get pain signals.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can cause physical and psychological addiction and is frequently abused for this reason. Patients who have a current or past history of narcotic drug abuse may not be able to take this medication.

This type of morphine should only be given to patients who already have developed tolerance to less strong narcotic medications. This medication is too strong to give to non-tolerant patients; it can cause fatal respiratory depression if given to patients who have not been exposed to opioids before.

Patients should be careful to swallow these pills whole. Chewing or otherwise breaking the pill can cause a morphine overdose.