Morphine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.

Naltrexone is a special narcotic drug that blocks the effects of other narcotic medicines and alcohol.

The combination of morphine and naltrexone is used to treat moderate to severe pain when around-the-clock pain relief is needed for a long time period.

Morphine and naltrexone is not for treating pain just after surgery unless you were already taking morphine and naltrexone before the surgery.

Morphine and naltrexone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use morphine and naltrexone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine, if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Before taking morphine and naltrexone, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder, liver or kidney disease, underactive thyroid, curvature of the spine, a history of head injury or brain tumor, gallbladder or pancreas disorders, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, Addison's disease, enlarged prostate, urination problems, a seizure disorder, a debilitating condition, mental illness, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using morphine and naltrexone. Dangerous side effects or death can occur.

Never take more than your prescribed dose of morphine and naltrexone. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

You may not be able to take this medicine unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant.

Do not use morphine and naltrexone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine. Opioid medicines include codeine (Tylenol #3), hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), and many others.

You should also not take morphine and naltrexone if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Do not use morphine and naltrexone if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use morphine and naltrexone before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take morphine and naltrexone:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

• liver or kidney disease;

• underactive thyroid;

• curvature of the spine;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• gallbladder or pancreas disorders;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;

• enlarged prostate, urination problems;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• any type of debilitating condition; or

• mental illness or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Morphine and naltrexone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Morphine and naltrexone should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Before you receive morphine and naltrexone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Morphine and naltrexone should not be used during labor and delivery.

Morphine and naltrexone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.