Morphine Sulfate

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Dec 08, 2022

Common Questions


Common Questions about Morphine


What’s the difference between immediate-release and extended-release morphine?

Immediate-release morphine is used on an as-needed basis to treat breakthrough pain. Extended-release morphine (MS Contin, Kadian) is taken every 8-12 hours to treat pain that is present around the clock.



Is MS Contin and Kadian the same thing?

Both MS Contin and Kadian contain morphine sulfate as the active ingredient and are extended-release forms of the drug. MS Contin is an extended-release tablet and it is taken 2-3 times a day. Kadian is an extended-release capsule and it is taken 1-2 times a day.



Can I drink alcohol with morphine?

You should not drink alcohol while on morphine. Alcohol can make side effects like drowsiness and dizziness worse. Drinking alcohol while on morphine can also increase your risk of potentially life-threatening respiratory depression and CNS depression.



Does morphine make you sleepy?

Morphine can make you sleepy. In fact, it can cause severe drowsiness, especially at high doses. Besides severe drowsiness, morphine can also cause dizziness, confusion, and disorientation. Do not drive or do anything that requires your full attention until you know how morphine affects you.



Can I stop taking morphine if my pain is better?

Morphine is usually taken as needed to control pain. However, if you have been on morphine for a long time, you may have developed a physical dependence on this medicine. Do not abruptly stop morphine, as this could lead to uncomfortable or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will tell you how to reduce your morphine dose gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.



What is the price of morphine without insurance?

Without insurance, morphine can be as high as $100.49, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $13.86 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not.



What is the price of morphine with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on morphine—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for morphine. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.