Kadian: Mixing It with Alcohol

Mixing alcohol with Kadian can lead to side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment judgment. There is also a chance of serious side effects, such as low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, and death.

Do not drink alcohol or consume any products that contain alcohol while Kadian. Doing so can lead to rapid release of this extended-release medication and death.

Tell your doctor about your complete medical history and prescriptions, non-prescription durgs, vitamins, supplements, and alcohol consumption habits so he or she can decide if Kadian is the right medication for you. Providing your complete medical history will allow your doctor make the best and safest choice for your care.

Kadian — morphine — is an opioid analgesic prescription used to treat severe pain in cancer patients. This pain must be severe enough to require constant opioid treatment to prescribe this medication. Kadian comes in different strengths, which are color coded for easy identification.

Kadian works by interacting with various opioid receptors throughout the body and changing the way your body feels and responds to pain.

Kadian, in strengths of 100 mgs and above, should be used only by patients who are already taking many opioids for pain. Giving that dosage level to someone who is not already on large doses of opioids can lead to severe respiratory depression and death.

As with most prescription medications, Kadian can have side effects. Some common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness.

Serious side effects can also occur, including

1. Mental status or mood changes
2. Severe abdominal pain
3. Difficulty urinating
4. Loss of appetite
5. Unusual tiredness
6. Weight loss
7. Fainting
8. Seizure
9. Slow or shallow breathing
10. Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up

If you experience any side effects from Kadian, no matter how small they seem, contact your doctor. You and your doctor can then decide if Kadian is the right medication to treat your pain.

Mixing alcohol with Kadian can lead to serious side effects, including death. Avoid alcohol while taking Kadian and keep your doctor informed about all drugs you’re taking to avoid interactions.

Because Kadian is formulation of morphine, consuming alcohol (or products containing alcohol) while taking this prescription is dangerous and can lead to death.  Your doctor will need to know any alcohol habits you may have, no matter how seemingly insignificant or infrequent, to ensure your safety.

If you feel you cannot abstain from alcohol while taking Kadian, talk to your doctor about other options to treat your pain.

If you feel you or a loved one is misusing Kadian or alcohol, don’t wait to get help. Contact us online at www.TheRecoveryVillage.com or call 24/7 to reach us via our toll-free hotline at 855-548-9825 to learn more about the road to recovery. We can help you overcome your addiction today.