What are the different brands of morphine?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Morphine has been used as a potent analgesic for more than 200 years and is available in multiple brands and formulations to suit varying medical needs. Understanding what are the different brands of morphine is crucial for distinguishing between rapid-onset relief and long-acting pain management options.

Quick Summary

Several brands of morphine exist, categorized primarily by their release profile into immediate-release and extended-release versions. These different formulations, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and injectables, offer distinct durations of effect for managing severe pain and breakthrough pain episodes. Newer formulations also feature abuse-deterrent technology.

Key Points

Release Profile Varies: Morphine brands come in both immediate-release (quick relief) and extended-release (long-lasting) versions to manage different types of pain.
Common Brands: Well-known brands include MS Contin®, Kadian®, Avinza® for extended-release and Roxanol®, Oramorph® liquid, and MSIR® for immediate-release.
Abuse-Deterrent Options: Some brands like Embeda® incorporate abuse-deterrent technology, combining morphine with a blocking agent like naltrexone.
Formulation Matters: Morphine is available in tablets, capsules, liquid, and injectable forms, with the specific form determining how and when the medication is released into the body.
Generic Alternatives: Most brands have therapeutically equivalent generic versions, which can be more cost-effective. However, their effects may not be identical, so consistency is often recommended.
Prescription Only: Morphine is a Schedule II controlled substance and requires a prescription. Dosage and brand should be determined by a healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Morphine is a powerful opioid analgesic prescribed for moderate to severe pain, and it is available under numerous brand names and in different forms. The specific brand name a patient receives often depends on the required release profile—whether the drug is needed for quick, short-term relief or for sustained, long-term pain control. The formulation dictates how quickly and for how long the medication works within the body.

Immediate-Release Brands of Morphine

Immediate-release (IR) formulations are designed to deliver a rapid dose of morphine into the system, offering quick relief for acute or breakthrough pain. The effect is typically faster but does not last as long as extended-release versions, requiring more frequent dosing. Common brands for immediate-release morphine include:

Roxanol®: An oral liquid solution often used for managing severe pain, particularly in palliative care settings.
Oramorph® (liquid): This is another brand name for immediate-release oral morphine, available as a liquid solution.
MSIR®: Refers to immediate-release oral tablets or capsules of morphine sulfate.
Sévredol®: A brand of immediate-release tablets, noted in the UK as a fast-acting option for breakthrough pain.

Extended-Release Brands of Morphine

Extended-release (ER) or controlled-release (CR) formulations are created to provide steady, around-the-clock pain relief. This is achieved by releasing the medication slowly over a longer period, typically 12 to 24 hours, which is beneficial for managing chronic pain. Leading brands of extended-release morphine include:

MS Contin®: One of the most recognized controlled-release tablets, providing pain relief for up to 12 hours. It was one of the first widely available controlled-release morphine products.
Kadian®: An extended-release capsule that can be dosed once or twice daily. The capsules contain tiny pellets with coatings that release morphine over 12 or 24 hours. The pellets can often be sprinkled on soft food for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Avinza®: A once-daily extended-release capsule. It uses a mix of immediate-release and extended-release beads to provide both quick onset and sustained relief over 24 hours.
MorphaBond® ER: An extended-release tablet with abuse-deterrent properties. It is designed to be difficult to crush, break, or dissolve, making it harder to abuse via non-oral routes.
Arymo® ER: Another brand of extended-release, abuse-deterrent tablets, formulated to resist tampering.
Embeda®: This brand is a combination of morphine sulfate and naltrexone. The naltrexone is sequestered within the capsule and only released if the pill is crushed, chewed, or dissolved, blocking the effects of the morphine.

Injectable and Other Formulations

Beyond oral medications, morphine is also administered in other ways, particularly in hospital settings for immediate and potent pain control.

Duramorph® / Astramorph®: Brand names for injectable morphine, used for intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or epidural administration.
Infumorph®: A brand used in external or implantable pumps for continuous epidural or intrathecal delivery of morphine for severe, chronic pain.

Comparison of Common Oral Morphine Brands


Brand Name	Release Type	Typical Dosing Interval	Abuse-Deterrent Feature
Roxanol® / Oramorph® (Liquid)	Immediate-Release	Every 4 hours (as needed)	No
MS Contin®	Extended-Release	Every 12 hours	No
Kadian®	Extended-Release	Once or twice daily	No
Avinza®	Extended-Release	Once daily	No
MorphaBond® ER	Extended-Release	Every 12 hours	Yes
Embeda®	Extended-Release (with naltrexone)	Once or twice daily	Yes (with antagonist)

Brand vs. Generic Morphine

Many of the branded morphine products also have generic equivalents. The generic versions contain the same active ingredient, morphine sulfate, and are regulated by the FDA to be therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. Generic options, such as 'morphine sulfate extended-release capsules' or 'morphine oral solution,' are often more affordable than brand names like Kadian® or Roxanol®. However, it's important to remember that different extended-release formulations are not always clinically equivalent, even if they share the same release frequency. For instance, a patient may find that Kadian® works differently for them than a generic extended-release product, even if both are taken twice daily.

Choosing the Right Formulation

Selecting the appropriate brand and formulation of morphine is a critical decision that a healthcare provider makes in consultation with the patient. The choice is based on several factors, including the type and severity of pain, the desired duration of effect, and any specific patient needs. For example, a patient with constant, chronic pain would typically be prescribed an extended-release formulation, with an immediate-release liquid like Roxanol® kept on hand for breakthrough pain. Alternatively, a patient with a history of substance abuse might benefit from a brand like Embeda®, which includes abuse-deterrent properties. Patients should always follow their doctor's prescription and never alter the formulation by crushing or chewing tablets unless instructed to do so, as this can lead to a dangerously high dose being released at once.

Conclusion

In summary, there is a diverse landscape of morphine brands and formulations available to manage severe pain. The key differences lie in their release profiles—either immediate-acting for rapid, short-term relief or extended-release for sustained, long-term control. Understanding what are the different brands of morphine helps clarify why certain products are prescribed for specific pain management scenarios, from managing chronic conditions with controlled-release capsules like Kadian® and MS Contin® to handling breakthrough pain with immediate-release liquids like Roxanol®. Ultimately, the choice of brand and formulation is a careful medical decision tailored to the individual's needs to ensure safe and effective pain relief. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan.

For more in-depth medical information on specific morphine products, a patient should consult their doctor or a trusted medical resource like WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Immediate-release (IR) brands, such as Roxanol® or MSIR®, provide rapid pain relief that lasts for a shorter duration, typically around 4 hours. Extended-release (ER) or controlled-release (CR) brands like MS Contin® or Kadian® release the drug slowly over 12 to 24 hours for sustained, around-the-clock pain management.

Switching between brands of morphine should only be done under a doctor's supervision. Even if two brands have the same active ingredient and release schedule, their pharmacokinetic profiles can differ, meaning the body may process them differently. Your doctor will ensure the dose is adjusted correctly for a safe and effective transition.

Both MS Contin® and Kadian® are extended-release oral morphine products. The primary difference is the dosing schedule; MS Contin® is typically taken every 12 hours, while Kadian® can be taken once or twice daily depending on the patient's needs. Kadian® also comes in a capsule format with pellets that can be sprinkled on food if swallowing is difficult.

Yes, some brands like Embeda®, Arymo® ER, and MorphaBond® ER are formulated to deter abuse. Embeda® contains naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, which is released if the capsule is tampered with, counteracting the morphine's effect. The other brands are designed to be difficult to crush or dissolve.

Injectable brands like Duramorph® and Infumorph® are used in hospital settings for immediate, potent relief of severe pain. They can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or via an epidural for continuous infusion.

Oral liquid morphine is often used for breakthrough pain in patients already on a long-acting regimen. Because it is immediate-release, it acts quickly but wears off faster. It is also used in palliative care for patients who cannot swallow pills.

No, brand name morphine is not inherently safer than generic morphine. The FDA regulates all generic medications to be therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts, containing the same active ingredient and working in the same way. The primary differences are often cost and inactive ingredients.