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What Is Morphine IR?

A potent painkiller, morphine is available in a wide variety of formulations such as injections and oral solutions, as well as prescription Morphine IR. This medication can provide highly effective pain relief, although there are some key points to understand about Morphine IR which are crucial to the health of you or someone you know who is taking the medication.

  1. Features

    • Morphine is a powerful narcotic drug derived from raw opium, the milky fluid found within the unripe seed pod of the opium poppy. Morphine IR (immediate release) tablets contain the active ingredient morphine sulfate and are indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, according to the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus website.

    Types

    • Types of immediate-release morphine sulfate vary by potency. According to Purdue Pharma, Morphine IR may be prescribed as 5, 10, 15 and 30-milligram tablets, depending on the level of pain relief required. Unlike controlled release morphine pills, the instant release formulations are designed to act quickly against pain when taken orally.

    Function

    • Classified as an opiate analgesic, morphine IR of any strength is designed to provide fast relief from serious pain. Morphine IR tablets are typically prescribed by a physician to be taken every four hours, according to MedlinePlus. Immediate release morphine is often used to manage "breakthrough pain," or pain that emerges while a longer-acting painkiller is still working in the body.

    Effects

    • Along with its analgesic effects, Morphine IR also carries a number of potential side effects that should be carefully considered and discussed with a physician before beginning treatment with the medicine. Drowsiness, changes in mood, dizziness, dry mouth and constipation are among the most common side effects of Morphine IR. More serious side effects that should be reported to a physician include hallucinations, rashes, swelling of the extremities such as wrists and ankles and fainting.

    Warning

    • Like other opioid painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, Morphine IR is a potentially addictive drug and can become habit-forming after as little as a week or two of regular use. Also, when taking Morphine IR it is vital to avoid consuming alcohol, since the combined central nervous system depressant effects of morphine sulfate and alcohol can lead to heavy sedation and possibly overdose. If an overdose of morphine is suspected, contact the emergency services immediately.

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