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GENERIC NAME: MORPHINE EXTENDED-RELEASE CAPSULES - ORAL (MORE-feen)

BRAND NAME(S): Avinza

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

WARNING: This form of morphine is specially made to provide long- acting relief of moderate-to-severe chronic pain. It is recommended to only be taken once a day. This medication should be swallowed whole (see How To Use section for more details). Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the contents of this medication. Doing so may cause severe, or in rare cases, fatal overdoses of morphine. Consult your pharmacist for details.

USES: Morphine extended-release is used for the long-term treatment of pain (chronic pain). It is specially made to release doses of morphine continuously throughout the day. Therefore, it only needs to be taken once daily. Since it helps relieve pain and also can cause drowsiness, it will help you sleep. Relief of chronic pain is important in order to improve your quality of life. This form of morphine is not recommended for short-term (acute) or "as needed" pain relief. Your doctor may prescribe another type of short-acting (immediate release) pain medicine for acute or breakthrough pain.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily without regard to food; or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the capsules. Swallow the capsule(s) whole. If you have difficulty swallowing this medication whole, the capsule may be opened and the contents sprinkled into applesauce and taken as directed. Do not chew the food/medication mixture or make-up a supply in advance. Doing so may result in serious, even fatal, overdose. Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. The maximum daily dose of this medication is 1,600 mg. Using more than this amount can result in serious kidney problems (due to buildup of fumaric acid, which is contained in this medicine). Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. When used for an extended period this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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morphine extended-release capsules-oral, Avinza

Introduction to sleep

When you're in a rush to meet work, school, family, or household responsibilities, do you cut back on your sleep? Like many people, you might think that sleep is merely a "down time" when the brain shuts off and the body rests. Think again.

What is sleep?

Sleep was long considered just a uniform block of time when you are not awake. Thanks to sleep studies done over the past several decades, it is now known that sleep has distinctive stages that cycle throughout the night. Your brain stays active throughout sleep, but different things happen during each stage. For instance, certain stages of sleep are indeed for us to feel well rested and energetic the next day, and other stages help us learn or make memories.

In brief, a number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. On the other hand, not getting enough sleep can be d...

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