Type of medicine: narcotic analgesic; narcotic antagonist
Generic and brand names: morphine/naltrexone, oral; Embeda
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat moderate to severe pain when you need pain relief around the clock for a long time. This medicine is NOT used for mild pain, pain that you have once in a while, or pain that is expected to last a short time (such as after surgery).
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you have taken narcotic pain medicines before. This medicine is to be used only by those who have taken narcotic painkillers before. You should not take the highest dose of this medicine (morphine 100mg and naltrexone 4mg) unless you are opioid tolerant. Opioid tolerant means you are already being treated with a similar narcotic pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not take more or for a longer period of time than directed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on your response. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.
This is a sustained release form of this medicine. Do NOT break, chew, dissolve, or crush the capsules. This causes the medicine to be released too fast, which could cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Swallow the capsules whole. If you cannot swallow the capsules, tell your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the pellets on apple sauce. Swallow the apple sauce and pellets right away. Rinse your mouth to make sure you have swallowed all the pellets. Do not chew the pellets.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: cold and clammy skin; coma; confusion; extreme drowsiness; extreme weakness; fainting; irregular or slow heartbeat; pinpoint pupils; seizures; shallow breathing, slow breathing, or breathing that stops.
You may need to take this medicine for a long time. If you need to take this medicine for more than a few days, do not stop taking it suddenly. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
This medicine may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other prescription or nonprescription medicines that contain alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Alcohol can cause very high levels of morphine in your blood and be life-threatening. Do not take any other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you have breakthrough pain, or if your pain gets worse, tell your healthcare provider.
Carry some form of identification that states that you are taking morphine/naltrexone. If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, especially when you start taking this medicine or when your dose is changed. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. This medicine may also make you feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Taking other medicines may make it worse. Do not take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may make you constipated. Drinking lots of water, exercising, and taking more fiber may help. You may need to take a laxative or stool softener while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): blurred vision; decreased or painful urination; depression; fainting or severe dizziness; fast or slow heartbeat; hallucinations; pinpoint pupils of the eyes; seizures; severe confusion; severe muscle weakness; severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; shortness of breath, slow or trouble breathing, sudden mood changes; thoughts of suicide; trembling.
Other: Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; loss of appetite; trouble sleeping; headache; skin rash; itching; chills; increased thirst; dizziness; drowsiness; nervousness; joint pain; muscle cramps; flushing.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol or take prescription or nonprescription medicines containing alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
