Intravenous Morphine: Uses, side effects

Depending on the specific product, this medication is injected into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin. Either way, it is important to use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Read and learn all manufacturer's instructions. If you have any questions about the proper use of this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Morphine without preservatives can also be injected by a doctor into the area around the spinal cord (epidural) or into the fluid-filled space that contains the spinal cord (internal). In this case, the first injection will be done in a hospital with close supervision by medical staff. If your doctor directs you to continue using this medicine at home, it is usually given as a subcutaneous injection.
Pain relievers work best if they are used at the first sign of pain. If you wait until the pain gets worse, the medicine may not work as well. Before use, visually inspect the product. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with alcohol. If the drug is injected into a muscle or under the skin, it is important to change the position of the injection site at each dose to avoid subcutaneous problems.
If you feel nauseous, consult your doctor or pharmacist for a way to reduce the dose (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).
Stopping morphine suddenly can cause cramps, especially if you have been using it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may reduce your dose slowly.

Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mood swings (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watery eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle pain, or sudden changes in behavior. When this medicine is used for a long time, it may not work. Your doctor may need to increase your dose or change your medication. Talk to your doctor if you feel the medicine is no longer working.
Although it has analgesic effects, morphine can sometimes be addictive. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as drug/alcohol abuse or addiction). Use medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment. For children, dosage may also be based on weight. Do not increase your dose, use it more often, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Stop medication properly when directed.

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, increased sweating or dry mouth may occur with the use of morphine. Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site may occur if this medicine is given into a muscle or under the skin. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To prevent constipation, eat fiber, drink enough water and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which laxative is right for you.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
Interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), Mental/mood changes (such as agitation, hallucinations, confusion), Difficulty urinating, Vision changes, Slow/fast heartbeat, Stomach/abdominal pain, Signs of your adrenal glands not working well (such as loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
Slow/shallow breathing, fainting, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, seizures. Very serious allergic reactions to this medicine are very rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness severe, difficult to breathe.

Before using morphine injection, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to other opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).
This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sulfites found in some brands), which may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as head injury, tumors, seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -COPD), gallbladder disease, kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts), money personal or family history of substance use disorders (such as drug/alcohol abuse or addiction), stomach/intestinal problems (such as obstruction, constipation, infectious diarrhea, paralytic ileus), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), difficulty urinating (such as from an enlarged prostate).
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you can do it safely.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing.
This medicine should be used only when clearly needed. It can harm an unborn baby. This medicine passes into breast milk and the effect on the nursing infant is not known.

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Articles refer to the source: webmd.com