A 30-mg morphine pill is one of five main formulations of the drug. It is identifiable by its circular shape and purple or red hue.

In its intended form and usage, morphine can be a safe choice for those suffering from immense pain. The medication comes in different forms, including pills, patches, IV drips and more. Many patients will find themselves on a 30-mg regimen at the onset of their treatment.

Article at a Glance:  

  • Morphine is an effective medication for people suffering from intense pain.  
  • One formulation of the drug is the 30-mg morphine pill, which has a circular shape and purple/red hue. 
  • There are many side effects that can result from taking morphine.  
  • Some people take the 30-mg morphine pill to achieve a sedative feeling.  
  • The 30-mg morphine pill comes in extended release and instant release forms.  

30-mg Morphine Pill Identifier

A 30-mg morphine pill is one of five main formulations of the drug. It is identifiable by its circular shape and purple or red hue.

The drug may also be prescribed at dosages of 15 mg, 60 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg if a patient’s pain threshold necessitates it. Prescribing 100mg and 200 mg is never recommended for anyone other than those with a longstanding relationship with opioids — individuals who have been taking strong pills for a significant time period prior.

Once ingested, morphine goes to work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This is how the drug quells pain, right at the chemical source. Such a process can take minutes or hours depending on the type of morphine and the means by which it was administered. Many morphine pills, including the 30-mg variety, actually come in the form of morphine sulfate. Sulfates make the morphine easier to absorb, meaning the body gets the medicine faster.

30-mg Morphine Pill Side Effects

The use of all opioids, medically or recreationally, can lead to uncomfortable side effects.

Side effects of morphine usually include:

  • Lethargy
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Uncoordinated movement

More severe side effects may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Deadly respiratory depression
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Overdose symptoms

Overdose symptoms are particularly important to look out for. An individual without tolerance to morphine can begin to exhibit the characteristics of an overdose after taking only 60 mg or less. Everyone’s drug tolerance is different though so it’s best to pay attention to symptoms at any point while taking morphine. Breathing problems, tiny pupils and unconsciousness are telltale signs of a dangerous overdose. The anti-overdose drug naloxone may be required whenever symptoms arise, and medical assistance is crucial.

30-mg Morphine Pill High

Those using morphine recreationally may attempt to consume 30-mg morphine to achieve an opioid high. Morphine is said to have an extremely sedative feeling compared to other painkilling drugs like oxycodone. Misusing opioids can result in an overdose and death. In addition to the number of pills used, the means of ingestion is equally hazardous. Pulverizing morphine pills into a fine powder for snorting or injecting amplifies the danger.

30-mg Morphine Pill ER

KadianAvinza, and MS Contin are all common brand names for extended-release pills of 30-mg morphine. Extended-release (ER) refers to the length of which the drug percolates within the system. When an individual crushes morphine, it is with the intent of bypassing the pill’s extended-release mechanism. If used correctly, the pain-relieving compounds release at a slow, steady pace, letting the effects last all day. Using 30-mg morphine in any other way than simply swallowing a full pill negates this effect.

Morphine 30-mg Instant Release

Morphine comes in an instant-release (IR) types, too. With IR pills, the opioid compound in the pill binds to the receptors within mere minutes. This effectiveness also correlates to a shorter duration. Additional tablets may be required over the span of a 24-hour interval depending on the patient. Each pill is aesthetically different than its extended-release counterparts as well. IR pills replace the red pigmentation with a plain, white color with the numbers 54 and 262 imprinted on the pill’s face.

How Long Does 30-mg Morphine Stay in Your System?

The half-life of morphine is usually between 2 to 4 hours. Injections and instant-release pills last only a few hours while extended-release pills extend those numbers significantly. As far as drug tests are concerned, morphine may linger in the body for up to four days after its final dose.

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Editor – Thomas Christiansen
With over a decade of content experience, Tom produces and edits research articles, news and blog posts produced for Advanced Recovery Systems. Read more
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Medically Reviewed By – Sendra Yang, PharmD
Sendra is a pharmacist with a specialty in drug information. Her experience includes hospital pharmacy, drug/medical information, medical writing, formulary management practice, pharmaceutical industry, and teaching. Read more
Sources

RxList.com. “MS-Contin.” May 3, 2021. Accessed July 7, 2021.

Riley, Joseph L 3rd et al. “Cognitive-affective and somatic side eff[…]s in healthy adults.” Pain medicine, February 2010. Accessed July 7, 2021.

MedlinePlus.gov. “Morphine.” National Institutes of Health, February 15, 2021. Accessed July 7, 2021.

AccessData.FDA.gov. “MS CONTIN®.” March 4, 2009. Accessed July 7, 2021.

Caremark.com. “MORPHINE IR DRUG CLASS.” 2021. Accessed July 7, 2021.

Drugs.com. “54 262 (Morphine Sulfate 30 mg).” 2021. Accessed July 7, 2021.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.