Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
oral liquid, Schedule III
- 473mL/bottle
- Each 5 mL contains 2 mg of anhydrous morphine
Diarrhea
Indicated for treatment of diarrhea
5 -10 mL PO qDay-q6hr or as directed by a physician
Dosage Modifications
Renal impairment
- Mild-to-moderate: No dosage adjustment necessary
- Severe: Use with caution
Hepatic impairment
- Mild-to-moderate: No dosage adjustment necessary
- Severe: Use with caution
Dosing Considerations
Do not confuse with opium tincture, which is 25x more potent; paregoric contains morphine 2 mg/5 mL (0.4 mg/mL) from opium tincture
Dosage Forms & Strengths
oral liquid, Schedule III
- 473mL/bottle
- Each 5 mL contains 2 mg of anhydrous morphine
Diarrhea
Indicated for treatment of diarrhea
0.25-0.5 mL/kg PO qDay-q6hr or as directed by a physician
Dosage Modifications
Renal impairment
- Mild-to-moderate: No dosage adjustment necessary
- Severe: Use with caution
Hepatic impairment
- Mild-to-moderate: No dosage adjustment necessary
- Severe: Use with caution
Dosing Considerations
Do not confuse with opium tincture, which is 25x more potent; paregoric contains morphine 2 mg/5 mL (0.4 mg/mL) from opium tincture
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (1)
- olopatadine intranasal
paregoric and olopatadine intranasal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.
Monitor Closely (3)
- daridorexant
paregoric and daridorexant both increase sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.
- difelikefalin
difelikefalin and paregoric both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ganaxolone
paregoric and ganaxolone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Sedation
Nausea
Vomiting
Euphoria
Dysphoria
Constipation
Pruritus
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to morphine
Cautions
Respiratory depressant effects of narcotics and their ability to elevate cerebrospinal-fluid pressure may be potentiated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions, or a preexisting increase in intracranial pressure; additional effects of narcotics may obscure the clinical course in patients with head injuries
Administration of narcotics like morphine may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course in patients with acute abdominal conditions
Use with caution in geriatric patients, debilitated, or patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment
Exercise extreme caution in patients with disorders characterized by hypoxia
May cause severe hypotension in the postoperative patients or any individual who has difficulty maintaining blood pressure due to depletion of blood volume or administration of such drugs as the phenothiazines or certain anesthetic
Owing to possible vagolytic action which significantly increases the ventricular response rate, use with caution in patients with atrial flutter and other supraventricular tachycardias
Preexisting convulsions may be aggravated in patients with convulsive disorders; especially in doses above recommended levels because of tolerance development
May impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for performing potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a car or operating machinery
Drug interaction overview
- Coadministration with other narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, sedative/hypnotics, or other CNS depressants (eg, alcohol) has additive depressant effects, and counsel patient
- Consider reducing the dosage of one or both agents when coadministered with such agents
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
It is not known whether fetal harm may occur when administered to pregnant female or can affect reproduction capacity
Treat pregnant females only if clearly needed
Lactation
Morphine appears in the milk of nursing mothers
Exercise caution when is administered to nursing females
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Morphine inhibits GI motility and propulsion, diminishes digestive secretion; increases GI muscle tone
Administration
Oral Administration
Shake well before using
Pediatric use: Administer with an accurate measuring device (calibrated oral syringe or measuring cup); do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon to measure dose (overdosage may occur)
Storage
Store at room temperature, 15-30ºC (59-86ºF)
Protect from light; avoid excessive heat
Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container
Keep out of reach of children
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Formulary
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