 Morphine is used to trea t moderate to severe pain. It works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain. Short-acting formulations are taken as needed for pain. Extended-release formulations are used when around-the-clock pain relief is needed. Morphine is not for treating pain just after surgery unless you were already taking it before the surgery.Morphine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Important information about morphineYou may not be able to take morphine unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body istolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. Morphine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medicine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not drink alcoholwhile you are using morphine. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with morphine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. take more than your prescribed dose of morphine. Tell your doctorif the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Do not stop taking morphine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Before using morphine Do not use morphine you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take morphine if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. Morphine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medicine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Before using morphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders; liver or kidney disease; underactive thyroid; curvature of the spine; a history of head injury or brain tumor; epilepsy or other seizure disorder;low blood pressure; gallbladder disease; Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders; enlarged prostate,urination problems;mental illness; or a history of drug or alcohol addiction. You may not be able to take morphine unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. FDA pregnancy category C. Morphine may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Morphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. 
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