Registered Rwanda · Rwanda FDA

Morphine Medis

Morphine Hydrochloride

Rwanda FDA-HMP-MA-1639 Solution for injection 10mg/ml nervous system INN generic

What it does

Morphine is a strong pain relief medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Commonly used for: severe pain, pain after surgery, pain from cancer

Read more in plain English ↓

Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.

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Answers come only from this medicine's registration record, BNF monograph and interaction data - not medical advice.

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Sourcing - Kenya only

Registration & product details

Registration no.
Rwanda FDA-HMP-MA-1639
Registration date
17/08/2024
Expiry date
16/08/2029
Status
Registered
Active ingredient
Morphine Hydrochloride
Dosage form
Solution for injection
Strength
10mg/ml
Pack size
10 ampoules of 1ml
Therapeutic class
-
ATC class (WHO)
N02AA - Natural opium alkaloids
Drug group
NERVOUS SYSTEM
RxNorm RxCUI
7052
Manufacturer / MAH
-
Applicant / LTR
-
Country of origin
Tunisia

Source: Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority · fetched 2026-03-11 22:07:04 · updated 2026-09-14 02:30:15

Drug Interactions

64
Check interactions

Pharmacodynamic Warnings

Morphine appears in TABLE 11: Drugs with CNS depressant effects

Severe (6)

Opioids - decreases concentration

Brigatinib potentially decreases the concentration of opioids (alfentanil, fentanyl). Avoid. Also see TABLE 6 p. 1518

Severe Theoretical

Opioids - increases exposure

Ceritinib is predicted to increase the exposure to opioids (alfentanil, fentanyl). Avoid. Theoretical → Also see TABLE 6 p. 1518

Severe Theoretical

Opioids - increases risk of cnstoxicity

Ritonavir increases the risk of CNS toxicity when given with opioids (pethidine). Avoid.

Severe Study

Opioids - decreases exposure

Lorlatinib is predicted to decrease the exposure to opioids (alfentanil, fentanyl). Avoid.

Severe Theoretical

Opioids - increases risk of adverse effects

Selegiline increases the risk of adverse effects when given with opioids (pethidine). Avoid. Also see TABLE 13 p. 1520

Severe Anecdotal

Opioids - increases exposure

Selpercatinib is predicted to increase the exposure to opioids (alfentanil, buprenorphine). Avoid.

Severe Study

Moderate (31)

Opioids - increases exposure

Dronedaroneispredictedtoincreasetheexposuretoopioids (alfentanil,buprenorphine,fentanyl,oxycodone).Monitorand adjustdose.oStudy →AlsoseeTABLE6p.1518

Moderate Study

Opioids - increases concentration

Amiodarone is predicted to increase the concentration of opioids (fentanyl). Monitor and adjust dose. Also see TABLE 6 p. 1518.

Moderate Theoretical

Opioids - decreases concentration

Carbamazepine decreases the concentration of opioids (tramadol). Adjust dose.

Moderate Study

Opioids - increases exposure

Miconazole is predicted to increase the exposure to opioids (alfentanil). Use with caution and adjust dose.

Moderate Theoretical

Opioids - increases exposure

Antifungals, azoles (fluconazole, isavuconazole, posaconazole) are predicted to increase the exposure to opioids (alfentanil, buprenorphine, fentanyl, oxycodone). Monitor and adjust dose.

Moderate Study

Unknown (27)

Drugs That Cause Serotonin Syndrome - increases risk of serotonin syndrome

Opioids (tapentadol) are predicted to increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when given with drugs that cause serotonin syndrome (see TABLE 13 p. 1520). Theoretical drugs that reduce serum potassium.

Unknown Theoretical

Morphine - decreases concentration

Ritonavirispredictedtodecreasetheconcentrationofopioids (morphine).oTheoretical

Unknown Theoretical

Morphine - decreases concentration

Nirmatrelvir boosted with ritonavir is predicted to decrease the concentration of opioids (morphine).

Unknown Theoretical

Morphine - decreases exposure

Pitolisantispredictedtodecreasetheexposuretomorphine. nTheoretical

Unknown Theoretical

Morphine - decreases exposure

Rifampicin decreases the exposure to opioids (codeine, morphine).

Unknown Study

Data from BNF 85 (British National Formulary). This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Matched via: class

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda). Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any medication.

About this medicine

Morphine is a strong pain relief medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain.

What it treats

  • severe pain
  • pain after surgery
  • pain from cancer

How it works

Morphine works by blocking pain signals in the brain and changing how your body feels and responds to pain.

Who it's for

Morphine is for adults and may be used for children in certain cases, as directed by a doctor.

Drug class

Opioids

Cautions

  • • Be careful if taking other medicines that can cause drowsiness or slow down your breathing.

AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

Clinical monograph: Morphine

BNF-referenced

Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic used primarily for the relief of severe pain. It is classified as an opioid drug and acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate pain. Morphine is particularly effective due to its ability to bind to mu and kappa opioid receptors, providing both analgesic effects and a sense of euphoria, which can contribute to its potential for abuse and dependence. It is important to administer morphine with caution, especially in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function, and those with a history of substance use disorders.

Indications

Mechanism of action

Morphine and its metabolites act as agonists at the mu and kappa opioid receptors. The mu-opioid receptor is responsible for morphine's analgesic effects and its action on the reward pathway in the brain, primarily affecting the ventral tegmental area. Morphine-6-glucuronide, a major metabolite, is responsible for a significant portion of morphine's analgesic effect, with approximately 85% of the response attributed to it. Additionally, morphine modulates pain transmission by blocking nociceptive signals and inhibiting primary afferent nociceptors in the spinal cord.

Pharmacodynamics

Morphine binding to opioid receptors blocks the transmission of nociceptive signals, modulating pain pathways within the spinal cord. Its onset of action ranges from 6 to 30 minutes, with effects varying based on individual factors such as sex; for instance, the EC50 for analgesia is lower in women than in men. Chronic use can lead to alterations in neuroplasticity, affecting synaptic structures and potentially leading to tolerance or dependence. Morphine's analgesic effects also include respiratory depression, which is a significant risk associated with its use.

Pharmacokinetics

Morphine is absorbed through various routes, including oral and intravenous administration, with its bioavailability being significantly lower when taken orally due to first-pass metabolism. The drug is extensively metabolized in the liver, primarily to morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide. The elimination half-life of morphine ranges from 2 to 4 hours, but can be prolonged in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Morphine is excreted mainly via the kidneys, necessitating dose adjustments in patients with renal dysfunction to prevent accumulation and increased risk of adverse effects.

Contra-indications

  • Severe respiratory depression
  • Acute or severe bronchial asthma
  • Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction
  • Hypersensitivity to morphine or any component of the formulation

Adverse effects

  • Diarrhoea
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances
  • Drowsiness
  • Depression
  • Hypotension
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Visual impairment
  • Tremors
  • Hyperalgesia
  • Seizures
  • Withdrawal syndrome

Interactions

  • Ritonavir may decrease morphine concentration
  • Nirmatrelvir boosted with ritonavir may decrease morphine concentration
  • Pitolisant may decrease morphine exposure
  • Rifampicin may decrease morphine exposure

Precautions

  • Caution in patients with pancreatitis
  • Caution in patients with hepatic impairment
  • Caution in patients with renal impairment
  • Caution in patients with a history of substance use disorder
  • Monitor for signs of respiratory depression
  • Dose adjustments may be necessary in the elderly or those with comorbidities

Pregnancy

Use only if potential benefit outweighs risk, as morphine may affect fetal development

Breast-feeding

Use with caution; avoid if possible due to lack of information on excretion in breast milk

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

Formulations

  • Oral solution
  • Modified-release capsules
  • Injection solution
  • Tablets
BNF 85 (British National Formulary) p.520 BNF for Children 2019-2020 p.312 PubChem / pathway

AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.

Molecular reference: Morphine

PubChem CID 5288826

Molecular formula: C17H19NO3

Mechanism of action

Morphine-6-glucuronide is responsible for approximately 85% of the response observed by morphine administration. Morphine and its metabolites act as agonists of the mu and kappa opioid receptors. The mu-opioid receptor is integral to morphine's effects on the ventral tegmental area of the brain. Morphine's activation of the reward pathway is mediated by agonism of the delta-opioid receptor in the nucleus accumbens, while modification of the respiratory system and addiction disorder are mediated by agonism of the mu-opioid receptor. Visual analysis of the direct electroencephalograph has revealed that morphine /slowed/ the predominant frequency and /increased/ high-voltage delta activity.

Pharmacodynamics

Morphine binding to opioid receptors blocks transmission of nociceptive signals, signals pain-modulating neurons in the spinal cord, and inhibits primary afferent nociceptors to the dorsal horn sensory projection cells. Morphine has a time to onset of 6-30 minutes. Excess consumption of morphine and other opioids can lead to changes in synaptic neuroplasticity, including changes in neuron density, changes at postsynaptic sites, and changes at dendritic terminals. Intravenous morphine's analgesic effect is sex dependent. The EC<sub>50</sub> in men is 76ng/mL and in women is 22ng/mL. Morphine-6-glucuronide is 22 times less potent than morphine in eliciting pupil constriction.

Biological pathways

Codeine Action Pathway PathBank Morphine Action Pathway PathBank Codeine Metabolism Pathway PathBank Morphine Metabolism Pathway PathBank Heroin Metabolism Pathway PathBank Codeine and morphine metabolism WikiPathways Heroin metabolism WikiPathways Codeine and morphine metabolism WikiPathways Codeine and Morphine Pathway, Pharmacokinetics PharmGKB

Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.

This drug in other countries

The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.

Kenya 18 products
View all 18 in Kenya →
Ghana 13 products
View all 13 in Ghana →
Zimbabwe 12 products
View all 12 in Zimbabwe →
Zambia 5 products
Malawi 4 products
Tanzania 3 products
Botswana 1 product