Morphine (Systemic)

(MOR feen)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Your child will be watched closely to make sure your child does not misuse, abuse, or become addicted to this drug.
• Do not have your child chew or crush the long-acting capsules or tablets. Very bad effects may happen if your child is injected with or takes chewed or crushed long-acting capsules or tablets. Do not use long-acting products for fast pain relief or on an as needed basis.
• This drug may slow down breathing too much. Other drugs that slow your child's actions may make it worse.
• Keep away from children. Accidental exposure may cause death.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to morphine or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Asthma, raised pressure in the brain, bowel block, or lung disease.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to ease pain.
• It is used to calm a child before care.
• It is used to treat withdrawal signs in babies born to mothers with addictions.

How is this drug given?

• Do not give this drug with other strong pain drugs or pain patches without talking to your child's doctor first.
• Give this drug with food to stop an upset stomach.
• Have your child swallow long-acting products whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Do not give long-acting products for fast pain relief or on an as needed basis.
• You may sprinkle contents of Kadian® or Avinza® capsule on soft food or liquid. Do not let your child chew.
• There is a liquid if your child cannot swallow pills.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Mix the liquid with fruit juice to make it taste better.
• Make sure you have the right liquid; there is more than one strength.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your child's doctor.
• Keep a pain diary.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into a muscle, vein, or into the fatty part of the skin.
• Suppository:
• Suppositories are for rectal use only.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• This drug may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• If your child has been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your child's doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
• If your child is an infant or toddler, use this drug with care.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has seizures, talk with the doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.
• Dry mouth. Good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. Have your child see a dentist often.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child is feeling very nervous and excitable.
• If your child has poor pain control.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very hard stools (constipation).
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Store suppositories in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Throw away any unused drug by flushing down a toilet or sink.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• The shot will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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