Morphine liquid (1778)

What is morphine and what should I know about it?

Morphine is a very strong opioid pain medicine. Opioid is another name for narcotic. It should only be used after trying other pain control methods.

This medicine:

• should only be given if your child has a lot of pain that cannot be controlled by acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other methods.
• should only be needed for a few days.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Motrin®) are very good pain medicines. Ask the doctor for information about how to use them.

What are the side effects?

• Increased sleepiness or problems breathing. Call 911 if your child is too sleepy, does not wake easily, has trouble breathing or has swelling of the face or lips.
• Slower movements or thinking. Be careful when your child needs to be alert.
• Rash or hives. Stop the medicine and call your child’s doctor.
• Itching. Call your child’s doctor.
• Stomach upset. Give this medicine with food.
• Problems with pooping. See the teaching sheets: pain management at home and constipation.
• Problems with peeing (urinating). Call your child’s doctor.

How to give this medicine

• Only give this medicine if your child is awake, alert and has a lot of pain. Never wake up your child to give opioids.
• Follow your doctor’s directions. Never give more often than your doctor tells you.
• Shake medicine well before using.
• Use a syringe to measure the medicine. Ask the pharmacist for one.
• Take the syringe apart and wash it after each use.

Your child’s dose is _______mL = ________mg

This dose will be based on your child’s weight and will change with time.

• If your child is still in a lot of pain after taking the medicine, call your doctor.

1mL syringe 

3mL syringe 

5mL syringe

10mL syringe 

Write the time that you give the medicine. You may not need all the boxes.

How to safely use, store, and get rid of this medicine.

• Keep all medicine up and out of reach or locked up to keep children safe. Only people who need to give this medicine should know where it is kept. Even teenagers should be given this medicine by an adult.
• Never share prescription medicines with other people. This is dangerous. It can cause serious harm and deaths. It is also against the law.
• Get rid of unused medicine. Do not save it.
• When your child no longer needs this medicine, get rid of unused medicine. Some pharmacies and police stations will take leftover medicine.  To find a location, visit The Dose of Reality website: https://bit.ly/2Hqp0hz.
• Do not throw it in the sink, toilet or garbage.

Other teaching sheets that may be helpful

#1763 Pain management at home

#1619 How to read an oral syringe

#1118 How to dispose of prescription pain medicines

#1844 Constipation

ALERT: Call 911 if your child is too sleepy, does not wake easily, has trouble breathing or has swelling of the face or lips. Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any other concerns.

This sheet was created to help you care for your child or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.