MDose · Veterinary drug reference
MORPHINE
Favorites and recent references stay on this device. No patient data is stored.
Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications7
Acute pain, sedation, anesthetic adjunct, cardiogenic pulmonary edema (adjunct)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Acute pain, sedation, anesthetic adjunct, cardiogenic pulmonary edema (adjunct) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Acute pain, sedation, anesthetic adjunct, cardiogenic pulmonary edema (adjunct) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Antitussive, antidiarrheal (hypermotile diarrhea)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Antitussive, antidiarrheal (hypermotile diarrhea) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Analgesic (with sedative cover — see excitation warning); epidural analgesia
HorseExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesic (with sedative cover — see excitation warning); epidural analgesia — Extra-label
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Analgesia/epidural per protocols
SwineSheep / goatRabbitExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)3 source records · View provenance
- Swine · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesia/epidural per protocols — Extra-label
- Sheep / goat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesia/epidural per protocols — Extra-label
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Analgesia/epidural per protocols — Extra-label
- Swine · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens9
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects211
Histamine release (with rapid IV) → hypotension, bronchoconstriction — Notable with IV bolus
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Defecation after initial dose — Common, transient
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hyperthermia — Reported
CatHorseCattleSheep / goatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)4 source records · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cattle · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Sheep / goat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypothermia — Reported
DogRabbitNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Excitement/CNS stimulation — Common at effective analgesic doses
CatHorseSwineNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)3 source records · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Swine · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting50 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')40 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS40 reports
- Death37 reports
- Anorexia33 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS30 reports
- Death by euthanasia27 reports
- Bradycardia25 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)21 reports
- Diarrhoea19 reports
- Pain NOS19 reports
- Cardiac arrest17 reports
Cat
- Anorexia9 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS9 reports
- Hyperactivity9 reports
- Vomiting9 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS7 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS7 reports
- Death6 reports
- Death by euthanasia6 reports
- Hyponatremia6 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')6 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)6 reports
- Weight loss6 reports
Monitoring1
Respiratory rate/depth, heart rate, blood pressure (esp. IV), analgesic efficacy
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; concurrent MAOIs; toxin-induced diarrhea (until cleared); scorpion envenomation (Centruroides spp.)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Head injury/↑ICP, acute abdomen, respiratory disease, acute uremia (affects ADH); give IV slowly to avoid hypotension
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Give IV doses slowly — rapid IV push causes histamine release and significant hypotension.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Common combo protocols: MMK (morphine + medetomidine/dexmedetomidine + ketamine) for short procedures; MLK (morphine + lidocaine + ketamine) CRI for perioperative analgesia.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Horses commonly need pre-treatment with an alpha-2 agonist or acepromazine to blunt morphine-induced excitement.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions4
MAO inhibitors (amitraz, selegiline) — Extreme caution — risk of severe reaction (extrapolated from meperidine)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Other CNS depressants — Additive depression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Tricyclic antidepressants — Morphine may exacerbate TCA effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Diuretics — ↓ efficacy in CHF patients
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Bioavailability — <20% oral (dog)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~1–1.2h (dog); 76–93 min (cat); 1.5–3h (horse)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic glucuronidation (active metabolite M6G)
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (glucuronide metabolite)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Rapid placental transfer; narcotized neonates possible if given near parturition (reversible with naloxone). Human FDA category C. Small amounts in milk.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 860–862; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 543–545 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references13
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Effects of zinc oxide nano particles on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice (insights to the postpartum depression, reflexive motor behaviors and antioxidant activity).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Orexinergic-Opioidergic Interactions Within the Nucleus Accumbens in the Modulation of Acute Pain: Evidence From the Tail-Flick Test in Rats.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and post-operative opioid consumption in gynecologic surgery.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Modulation of morphine tolerance and dependence by pyrroloquinoline quinone in mice: Insights into mechanistic bridge from N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II signaling to oxidative neuroinflammation.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Post-operative opioid consumption after single-shot versus continuous erector spinae plane block in cardiac surgery: An observational study.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.