How does it work?

Morphine belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally occurring pain reducing chemicals (endorphins). They combine with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt. This preparation of morphine is called a rectal tampon. It is a non-dissolving suppository, which is used to treat severe pain associated with advanced cancer; it is used when individuals can no longer take morphine by mouth.

What is it used for?

Short-term treatment of severe pain in advanced cancer

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

If this preparation is lost following a bowel movement, a new one should be inserted immediately in order to maintain pain relief.

After approximately 24 hours the rectal tampon should be expelled and replaced with another. The replacement should only be inserted after the used tampon has been removed.

Use with caution in

Convulsive disorders

Diseases of the bile ducts

Elderly people

Enlarged prostate gland

Hypothyroidism

Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

Inflammation of pancreas

Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Intoxication induced by the rapid ingestion of alcoholic drinks (acute alcoholism)

Low blood pressure and low circulating blood volume

Mental and behavioural disorder caused by a toxic substance (toxic psychosis)

Narrowing of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside (urethral stricture)

Reduced awareness, slow reactions or drowsiness due to medicines or illness that reduce activity in the central nervous system

Serious medical condition caused by withdrawal from alcohol

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver function

Symptom of hypothyroidism characterised by dry, hard swelling of the skin

Tumour of the rectum with excess mucus production

Weak or debilitated people

Not to be used in

Acute liver disease

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Diarrhoea

Emergency condition caused by damage to one or more of the organs in the abdomen following injury or disease (acute abdomen)

Failure of function of part of the gut causing an obstruction (paralytic ileus)

Head injury

Increased pressure in the brain (raised intracranial pressure)

Low levels of a type of white blood cell (neutrophils) in the blood (neutropenia)

Painful conditions of the rectum or anus

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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