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Morphine & Oxycodone for Back Pain

Morphine and oxycodone are classified as opioid analgesics, also referred to as narcotic pain relievers. Both morphine and oxycodone are primarily used for pain, particularly moderate to severe back pain. The most common brand names of oxycodone used for back pain are Percocet, Endocet, Roxicodone and Roxicet and OxyContin. The most common brand names of morphine used for back pain are MS Contin, Avinza and Kadian.

  1. Oxycodone

    • Oxycodone is used to relieve back pain that is moderate to severe. It helps to alleviate a patient's pain by changing how a patient's nervous system and brain respond to pain. Oxycodone can be taken orally as a liquid, or it can be taken orally as a capsule, pill or tablet. This drug comes in immediate release and extended release. According to a poll on Daily Strength (a pain management organization and support community), 97% of patients taking oxycodone for back pain found this drug to be successful in alleviating their back pain.

    Morphine

    • Morphine is used to alleviate back pain that is moderate to severe. This drug helps to relieve a patient's pain by changing how the patient's body perceives pain. Morphine can be taken orally as a pill or it can be administered intravenously (into a vein). This pill form of this drug comes in immediate release and extended release. According to a poll on Daily Strength, 83% of patients taking morphine for back pain found this drug to be successful in relieving their back pain.

    Side Effects

    • Both morphine and oxycodone, when used for back pain, can cause similar side effects. The common side effects include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lightheadedness, constipation, loss of appetite, red eyes, headache, sweating weakness, dry mouth, mood changes and small pupils. Patients often notice these common side effects subside after their body gets used to taking these medications, however if these symptoms persist or become severe or bothersome it is important that the patient contact their doctor. Morphine and oxycodone can also cause serious side effects. MedLine Plus suggests that patients who experience the serious side effects contact their doctor immediately and seek medical attention.

      The serious side effects of morphine and oxycodone include slowed or faster heartbeat, seizures, fainting, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, rash, and slowed, shallow, irregular or difficult breathing. Some patients may also experience an allergic reaction and the signs of this include hives, itching, and swelling of the lower legs, ankles, feet, face, tongue, hands, eyes, throat or lips.

    Addiction

    • When using morphine and oxycodone for back pain the patient is at risk for developing an addiction. These medicines are narcotics and therefore are potentially addictive even when used as prescribed though the risk is much higher when abused. Patients who have become addicted to morphine or oxycodone may experience physical withdrawal (nausea, vomiting, bone and muscle pain, heart palpitations, sweating, fatigue, insomnia and depression), drug-seeking behavior and euphoria.

    Overdose

    • Patients taking morphine and oxycodone for back pain that take more than prescribed are at risk of an overdose. An overdose can cause serious complications including coma and death. Other symptoms of morphine and oxycodone overdose may include trouble breathing, slowed heartbeat, dizziness and fainting, clammy and cold skin, excessive sleepiness, weak or limp muscles, loss of consciousness, reduced or enlarged pupils, blurry vision, stomach upset or vomiting, and bluish fingernails, skin, mouth or lips.

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