Morphine Dosage

Before prescribing you morphine, your healthcare provider will consider how you respond to the drug and other medical conditions you have, among other things. There is a significant variation in the dosage of morphine that can be tolerated and that is effective at relieving pain. In most cases, however, your healthcare provider will likely start you on a low dose of a short-acting morphine, and increase your dose as necessary.

Morphine Drug Information

Dosage of Morphine: An Introduction

The morphine dose your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

The particular morphine product
How you respond to morphine
The type and dose of other painkillers you have taken
The type and severity of your pain
Other medications you are taking
Other medical conditions you may have.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Morphine Dosing for Pain

There is great variation in the dosage of morphine that can be tolerated and that will effectively relieve pain, depending on several factors. People who have taken morphine or other similar medications for a long time may need (and may tolerate) large morphine doses. Also, some people seem to naturally be more sensitive to morphine than others.

Most likely, your healthcare provider will start you on a low dose of a short-acting morphine product and increase your dose as necessary and as tolerated. Once you are on a stable dose (if continued pain control is needed), you may be switched to a longer-acting product. Short-acting products are usually taken every four hours as needed for pain, while long-acting products are taken every 8, 12, or 24 hours around-the-clock (depending on the particular product).

(Morphine Dosage Continued: Page 2)