Looking for information about Roxanol-T? Find your answers by using this helpful guide.
1. What is Roxanol-T?
2. Usage of Roxanol-T
3. Roxanol-T overdose
4. How long does Roxanol-T stay in your system?
5. Roxanol-T side effects
6. Roxanol-T withdrawal
7. Dosage
8. Roxanol-T addiction treatment
9. Roxanol-T abuse
What is Roxanol-T?
Roxanol-T (Generic name: Morphine Sulphate) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid prescription drug used to treat severe chronic pain and acute pain. It’s frequently used to alleviate pain caused during labour or heart attack. Belonging to the class of drugs known as opiates (narcotics), it is quite effective for pain treatment.
Roxanol-T is prescribed in several different forms, including a liquid solution and extended-release tablets and capsules. It is important to take the prescribed dose so that its therapeutic effects can be felt while avoiding an overdose.
It’s available in the market under the following brand names:
- AVINza
- Kadian
- Kadian ER
- MS Contin
- Roxanol
- Morphabond
- Morphabond ER
- Oramorph SR
- Arymo ER
By binding itself to the opioid receptors in the brain, Roxanol-T blocks the transference of pain signals. It can be used in several ways, such as:
- Orally as a tablet or solution
- As an injection into the muscles or under the skin
- Intravenously
- Rectally as a suppository
There are different types/forms of Roxanol-T available in the market. These include:
- Fast-response Roxanol-T tablets. These tablets usually contain 10mg, 20mg or 50mg of morphine.
- Slow-response Roxanol-T tablets. These tablets usually contain 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg or 200mg of morphine.
- Slow-acting Roxanol-T capsules. These types of capsules contain 10mg, 30mg, 60mg, 90mg, 120mg, 150mg or 200mg of morphine.
- Roxanol-T granules. These granules come in sachets containing 30mg, 60mg, 100mg or 200mg of morphine. Usually, these are consumed with water.
- Roxanol-T suppositories. These suppositories are manufactured to contain 10mg of morphine.
- Roxanol-T injection
Patients who cannot swallow tablets or liquids can use Morphine suppositories to fulfill their dosage requirements.
Morphine granules are often classified as slow-release medicines. This means that they usually take around 12 to 24 hours to release morphine into your body. Even though this type of morphine takes longer to demonstrate its effects, it lasts longer when compared to the fast-acting morphine medications. These are often used for treating long-term pain.
Sometimes, patients are also prescribed both fast-acting morphine and slow-release morphine to manage long term pain and sudden flares of pain that break through the long-acting medicine. Usually, the fast-acting tablets are prescribed under the brand name Sevredol, whereas the slow acting tablets are known by brand names MST Continus and Morphgesic SR.
Some of the brand names for the slow-acting capsules are Zomorph and MXL.
Here are a few things to remember while storing Roxanol-T:
- It must be stored properly and safely.
- It must be kept out of sight and out of reach of children.
- It must never be shared with anyone else.
- Never forget to dispose of the unused Roxanol-T by returning it to your pharmacist.
Usage of Roxanol-T
Before using Roxanol-T, the following should considered to reduce the chance of health risks.
- Tell your doctor about allergies you have to any medications.
- Do not use Roxanol-T if you’re suffering from bronchial asthma or respiratory depression. Consumption of Roxanol-T under these circumstances can increase the risk of respiratory failure and other potentially harmful side effects, including low blood pressure, increased sedation, and coma, which can lead to death.
- If you’re having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you have been prescribed Roxanol.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had severe kidney or liver problems, low blood pressure, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, prostate enlargement, seizures, difficulty swallowing, or urinary problems. If you’re suffering from the aforementioned conditions then your doctor may alter the dosage levels of Roxanol-T prescribed.
- Roxanol-T can react with other medications, causing severe health issues. Therefore, do not forget to mention these medications to your doctor if you’re prescribed them: milnacipran, venlafaxine, tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet), trazodone (Oleptro), amitriptyline, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), trimipramine (Surmontil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (ParnateBelbuca, buprenorphine butorphanol; cyclobenzaprine; Zuplenz, Brisdelle, Prozac, Pexeva, dextromethorphan diuretics; lithium (Lithobid) almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex, in Treximet), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); mirtazapine (Remeron); nalbuphine; pentazocine (Talwin); quinidine (in Nuedexta), alosetron (Lotronex), dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, Zofran, palonosetron, citalopram, escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine, fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft); serotonin, norepinephrine, desvenlafaxine, and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Many other medications also interact with morphine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you’re taking. Your doctor may alter the doses of Roxanol-T or monitor you more carefully for side effects caused by the medication.
- If you’re about to get a prescription for Roxanol-T, tell your doctor what herbal products you’re taking, especially St. John’s Wort and tryptophan.
- Don’t forget to tell your doctor if you have ever had a blockage in your stomach or intestines; seizures; difficulty swallowing; prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of a male reproductive gland); urinary problems; low blood pressure; Addison’s disease or liver, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, or gallbladder disease.
- Studies have shown that Roxanol-T can have an adverse effect on a developing fetus, as it’s an FDA Pregnancy Category C drug. Hence, this medication should only be given to pregnant women if the potential benefits outweigh the potential health risks. Roxanol-T should also not be given to women before delivery or to nursing mothers, as it crosses the placenta and exits the body as a part of the breast milk, causing potential harm to newborn and breastfeeding infants.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while consuming morphine, as it increases the potency of the drug and can cause accidental overdose. This especially true if you take the extended-release capsules like Avinza, as alcohol can cause the morphine to be released much faster. Biting or chewing these capsules can also deliver too much morphine at once.
- Roxanol can decrease fertility in men and women.
- Remember that consumption of Roxanol-T can cause drowsiness. Hence, it’s suggested to avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery after taking it.
- Consumption of Roxanol-T can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up suddenly. The best way to overcome this problem is to get out of bed slowly, and resting your feet steadily on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
- Usage of morphine may lead to constipation. It’s suggested that you talk to your doctor about changing your diet or using other medications to prevent or treat constipation while you’re taking morphine.
- If you have a head injury or increased intracranial pressure, taking Roxanol-T may exacerbate the drug’s respiratory depressant effects. It may also further increase intracranial pressure.
- Roxanol-T is an addictive medication. Hence, if you feel that it’s not working well, you should consult your doctor right away instead of taking more than the prescribed dose. Overdose of this medication may lead to severe health issues such as respiratory failure, coma and death.
- If you’re being treated for Paralytic ileus, avoid using Roxanol-T.
- If you have a history of breathing problems such as asthma and COPD, then avoid using morphine.
- Do not use Roxanol-T if you are taking an MAO inhibitor (MAOI).
- Never end the consumption of Roxanol-T abruptly without consulting your doctor. Consult your doctor for any clarifications. Your doctor may suggest you decrease the dosage gradually before stopping it altogether. This reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms, which include nausea, fever, tremors in legs/hands, insomnia, abdominal cramps, runny nose, and sweating.
Roxanol-T overdose
Roxanol-T works on the pain centers of the brain, but there are many side effects as well. They include euphoria, slow breathing, dilated pupils, reduced gastrointestinal activity, drowsiness, dysphoria, delusions, and hallucinations.
When used for a long time, the human body becomes tolerant to Roxanol, and its dosage has to be increased to produce the same effects. This can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Hence, it’s important to follow the schedule provided by your doctor when you stop taking morphine.
A Roxanol-T overdose can take place when it interacts with other drugs, when doses are taken too close together, or if an excess of Roxanol-T is taken. Crushing or cutting an extended-release tablet can cause too much Roxanol to be released at one time, leading to an overdose.
Overdoses can likewise happen when Roxanol is taken nonmedically, or when taken in combination with other medications or when injected. A few indications of morphine overdose include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- Irregular breathing
- Increased blood pressure
- Slowed reflexes
- Drowsiness
- Weakened muscles
- Limpness in muscles
- Sleepiness
- Cold and sticky skin
When your doctor prescribes Roxanol-T/morphine, ensure that you always have a rescue medication called naloxone nearby. Naloxone is used to reverse the life-threatening effects of a Roxanol-T overdose. It blocks the effects of opiates and provides relief from the dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the bloodstream.
As patients cannot treat themselves when they experience a Roxanol-T overdose, it is suggested that their caretakers and family members be aware of the actions to be performed when such an overdose occurs. They should also be aware of Naloxone and its uses. They must ask the doctor for the usage instructions or visit the manufacturer’s website to get the instructions.
How long does Roxanol-T stay in your system?
The effects of Roxanol-T last for four to six hours and usually begin within 15 minutes of consumption. The extended-release tablets are designed such that their effects last longer, usually for 12 to 24 hours. Our body metabolizes Roxanol usually within 1.5 to 7 hours due to its very short half-life.
Morphine is metabolized in the body and discharged in the urine, with the greater part of a single dose gone after 72 hours. If it’s consumed for longer durations or in heavy doses, then the time it takes to leave the body can be longer. If a person is addicted to morphine, they may experience withdrawal symptoms 6 to 12 hours after their last dose.
In the event that you have been prescribed morphine, be aware that it can be detected in a drug screening test. Also, always remember to disclose your prescription to the laboratory conducting the test to avoid misinterpretation of your test results.
Roxanol-T side effects
Side effects of Roxanol-T usually depend on its usage frequency, the tolerance level of the person taking it, and its dosage. Some of them are:
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, and tingling sensation
- Color blindness
- Pain in the chest area
- Lack of ability to think clearly which leads to confusion
- Cough
- Hallucinations
- Decreased urination
- Lightheadedness when performing day-to-day activities
- Fainting
- Headache
Roxanol-T withdrawal
A patient begins to experience Roxanol-T withdrawal symptoms once he/she stops taking it or decreases the dose. This happens because Roxanol-T is an addictive medication.
The withdrawal symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Difficulty in falling asleep, insomnia
- Teary eyes
- Irritability
- Severe sweating
- Diarrhoea
- Restlessness
- Back, muscle, or joint pain
- Nausea
Dosage
The dosage of Roxanol-T is different depending on the patient. It’s strictly advised that you follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the medication’s label.
Here are the common doses of Roxanol-T:
- Extended-release capsules for oral consumption:
- For moderate to severe pain:
- Adults—
- Consulting doctor’s prescription determines the amount of Roxanol-T taken in milligrams. This dosage can be altered by the doctor as and when required.
- Avinza: One capsule is given in every 12 hours.
- Kadian: One capsule is given every 12 or 24 hours.
- Children- Usage and dose of Roxanol-T is determined by the doctor.
- Adults—
- For moderate to severe pain:
Patients are strictly advised not to double the dosage. If they miss a dose of this medicine, they must skip the missed dose and go back to their regular dosing schedule.
Roxanol-T addiction treatment
Roxanol addiction treatment is recommended for people who experience dependency or addiction to morphine. With prolonged usage of Roxanol-T, the body develops a tolerance to the drug. This can lead to an addiction, which can have serious outcomes if no action is taken.
Roxanol-T abuse
If a person is experiencing this addiction, then they must consult a doctor immediately. Drug dependencies often occur if a user takes the drug over a long period of time or at high doses. This can make their everyday life difficult.
During a full Roxanol-T drug addiction, patients usually crave or take the drug wether or not it’s medically unnecessary.
To curb the addiction, doctors usually recommend a tapering program. A tapering program allows the patient to take less of the drug over an extended period of time. This helps in reducing the withdrawal symptoms and allows the body to adjust to functioning without Roxanol.
Roxanol addiction treatment may be needed if the tapering process is not working or if patients feel unable to stop the consumption of the drug on their own.
The withdrawal symptoms caused by Roxanol-T fall under the category of prototypical opioid withdrawal syndromes, as Roxanol is a type of opioid. After rapidly decreasing or completely stopping the amount of the drug, a Roxanol-T addict experiences withdrawal symptoms, which can last for several days or weeks, depending on the quantity, frequency, and duration of its use.
It’s suggested that whenever patients who have been legally prescribed Roxanol-T experience any withdrawal symptoms, then they must immediately contact their doctor.
Skilled and certified doctors can immediately perform tests to determine if a patient is suffering from Roxanol-T withdrawal syndrome. If it’s determined that the withdrawal syndrome is in the initial stage, then the patient does not need long-term treatment. In these cases, medications are prescribed to combat side effects and withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, cramping, runny nose, agitation, muscle aches, and sweating.
For severe withdrawal symptoms, doctors suggest long-term treatment to ensure that the Roxanol addict gets all the required medical and psychological help during the treatment process.
In the process of detoxing from Roxanol-T or morphine, the drug dosage is gradually reduced over time and cut off completely at the end. This reduces harsh symptoms often experienced during the withdrawal stage.
Doctors may also suggest the use of Buprenorphine, which is a narcotic approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Roxanol-T addiction. Studies have shown that this narcotic can effectively shorten the length of the detox program and can also be used for long-term drug abuse treatments. Other medication-assisted opioid addiction treatments include the use of methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) therapy.
There are various drug rehabilitation and treatment programs available in the market that advertise the usage of rapid detox or detox under anaesthesia for Roxanol-T addiction. Patients who choose to undergo a rapid morphine detox are placed under anaesthesia and given counteracting drugs.
As the patient is in a sound sleep during Rapid detox treatment, pain associated with withdrawal can be avoided.
Post detoxification, the next step is Roxanol-T (morphine) rehab.
Some of the patients can choose to stop treatment post detoxification; however, many doctors suggest enrolling into an addiction treatment rehab to prevent a relapse.
This rehabilitation can be conducted in an outpatient rehab facility or in an inpatient rehab facility.
In an inpatient rehab center, the patients live at the treatment center during Roxanol addiction treatment. Skilled medical staff are available 24-7 to monitor patients’ wellbeing. Inpatient treatment typically lasts for 30-60 days but that time can be extended to meet the needs of the paitient.
Doctors sometimes recommend that patients with mild addictions or dependencies undergo outpatient rehab treatment. Outpatient detox allows patients to come and go from the clinic for treatment as per their schedule, coming in only for physicals, therapy and blood work. This helps patients maintain a normal (work/student) life outside the rehab center.
Post-rehab, the last step is maintenance.
The detoxified or rehabilitated patient should walk out of the detox or rehab center confidently and continue their life based on the principles he or she has learned at rehab. Many patients also enroll themselves in support groups like Narcotics Anonymous.
They should also follow an aftercare schedule to maintain a healthy, drug-free life. This step is extremely crucial, as it can help the patients not feel overwhelmed by the outside world which can lead to relapse.
For more information, you can always go online and find the best rehab and treatment centers for addiction.
