Side Effects of Morphine Sulfate/Naltrexone Hydrochloride

Common morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. While these side effects generally require little or no treatment, potentially serious problems are possible while taking this medication. If you experience more serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, seizures, or severe constipation, notify your healthcare provider right away.

An Introduction to Morphine Sulfate/Naltrexone Hydrochloride Side Effects

As with any medicine, morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride (Embeda™) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
 

Serious Side Effects

Some
 morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride side effects, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
 
  • The urge to take more medicine than prescribed or for a non-medical purpose (see Embeda Abuse)
  • Confusion
  • Severe constipation
  • Falling or unsteadiness
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • A slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Severe drowsiness
  • Seizures
  • Unusual changes in behavior or mood (including depression)
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:

 

    • An unexplained rash
    • Hives
    • Itching
    • Swelling of the mouth or throat
    • Wheezing
    • Difficulty breathing.

 

It should be noted that many people develop itching due to morphine (one of the active ingredients in morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride), but are not allergic to the medication. Morphine causes a release of histamine, resulting in itching unrelated to any allergy. If you develop itching but no other allergy symptoms, it is unlikely that you are allergic to morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride. However, make sure to tell your healthcare provider, as there are medications available to help relieve the itching.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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