Opium tincture (deodorized)
Pronunciation: Unresolved in the source reviewed..
- Generic name
- opium tincture
- Drug class
- Morphine-containing opioid antidiarrheal preparation
- Form
- Liquid tincture
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- United States: DEA Schedule II controlled substance
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What opium tincture is and how it works
Opium tincture (deodorized) is a liquid morphine-containing controlled substance used for the treatment of diarrhea. (1)
It is an opioid preparation. Addiction can result from opium use, and the label states that preparations should be given in the smallest effective dose and as infrequently as possible to minimize tolerance and physical dependence.
Mechanism of action: how opium tincture works
For diarrhea, opiates enhance tone in long segments of longitudinal intestinal muscle and inhibit propulsive contractions of both circular and longitudinal muscles. Relatively small doses that do not produce significant analgesia are effective in controlling diarrhea. (1)
What opium tincture is used for
Diarrhea
Opium tincture is useful for the treatment of diarrhea. Opiates are described in the label as prompt-acting nonspecific antidiarrheal agents; they enhance tone in long segments of longitudinal intestinal muscle and inhibit propulsive contractions of circular and longitudinal muscles. (1)
Before taking opium tincture
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Opium tincture is contraindicated for diarrhea caused by poisoning until the toxic material has been eliminated. (all patients) (1)
- Opium tincture is not recommended for children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. (children) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- If you are elderly or debilitated.
- Any increased intracranial pressure or cerebral arteriosclerosis.
- Hepatic cirrhosis, liver insufficiency, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, myxedema, emphysema, or bronchial asthma.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- All medicines you use, especially central nervous system depressants.
How to take opium tincture
- Take opium tincture only according to the prescriber's directions.
- The reviewed US label lists a usual adult oral dose of 0.6 mL four times a day.
- The product concentration is 10 mg morphine per 1 mL; use the prescribed amount and do not alter the dose or frequency without prescriber advice.
- Because opium can cause addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence, the label advises use of the smallest effective dose and as infrequently as possible.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
No missed-dose-specific instruction was identified in the reviewed source. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose; ask the prescriber or pharmacist for guidance.
Overdose
No specific numeric toxic or dangerous overdose threshold was identified in the reviewed source. Suspected overdose requires urgent medical assessment. Label-directed management includes establishing an airway, supporting ventilation, and use of naloxone, which may require repeated doses; withdrawal can occur in chronic opioid users given naloxone. (1)
Side effects
Constipation, nausea, and vomiting may occur in some patients. Itching and hives have also been observed.
Constipation, nausea, or vomiting
What to notice: Constipation, feeling sick, or vomiting.
What to do: Tell the prescribing clinician if these effects are persistent, severe, or troublesome. (1)
Itching or hives
What to notice: Pruritus (itching) or urticaria (hives).
What to do: Seek medical assessment promptly if hives occur or if symptoms are concerning. (1)
Troublesome adverse effects
What to notice: Persistent or severe constipation, nausea, vomiting, itching, or hives.
What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly for assessment and advice. (1)
Serious warnings
Overdose — emergency
Symptoms: The reviewed source does not provide a patient-facing symptom list or a numeric toxic-dose threshold.
Action: If an overdose is suspected, obtain urgent emergency medical assessment. Clinical management described in the label includes airway establishment, ventilatory support, and naloxone; repeated naloxone doses may be needed. (1)
Addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence — serious
Symptoms: Addiction can result from opium use. The reviewed source does not provide a patient-facing symptom list for addiction, tolerance, or physical dependence.
Action: Discuss concerns about dependence or treatment use with the prescriber. Dose and treatment decisions should be made by the responsible clinician. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Central nervous system depressants and other medicines | When opium-containing preparations are combined with other drugs, the cautions applicable to each ingredient should be considered. The label states that reduced dosage is indicated when combined with central nervous system depressants and in poor-risk patients. | Give the prescriber and pharmacist a complete list of medicines and other products. Any dose decision should be made by the prescribing clinician. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children
Opium tincture is not recommended for children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. (1)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The reviewed label lists Pregnancy Category C and states that safety in pregnancy has not been established. Caution should be exercised when opium tincture is administered to a nursing woman. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding with the prescriber. (1)
Older adults, debilitated people, and people with certain conditions
The label advises caution in elderly and debilitated patients and in people with increased intracranial pressure, cerebral arteriosclerosis, hepatic cirrhosis or liver insufficiency, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, myxedema, emphysema, or bronchial asthma. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Review whether the diarrhea is caused by poisoning; use is contraindicated until the toxic material has been eliminated.
- Review age, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, relevant medical conditions, and all concomitant medicines, including central nervous system depressants.
- Assess factors that may increase risk, including elderly or debilitated status and the conditions for which the label advises caution.
During treatment
- Assess for constipation, nausea, vomiting, itching, hives, and concerns related to addiction, tolerance, or physical dependence.
- Specific routine monitoring tests or a monitoring schedule were not established in the reviewed source.
Storage
Specific storage conditions were not identified in the reviewed source. Follow the dispensing label and ask a pharmacist if storage information is needed.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information and individual clinical assessment.
United States
Indication: Treatment of diarrhea in adults
Dose summary: The reviewed US label lists a usual adult oral dose of 0.6 mL four times a day. The product contains 10 mg morphine per 1 mL.
Renal context: Renal-impairment-specific dose adjustment information was not established in the reviewed source. No specific dose-reduction numbers should be inferred. (1)
United Kingdom, European Union, and Australia
Indication: Authorisation status
Dose summary: Unresolved. No country-specific brand-name register or authorisation status was reviewed for these regions.
Renal context: Unresolved. No renal-impairment-specific dosing information was identified in the reviewed source.
Hepatic guidance
The label advises caution in hepatic cirrhosis or liver insufficiency. Hepatic-impairment-specific dose adjustment data and specific dose-reduction numbers were not established in the reviewed source.
Overdose note
No numeric toxic-dose threshold was identified. Label-directed management includes airway establishment, ventilatory support, naloxone administration with possible repeated doses, and consideration of activated charcoal and gastric emptying as supportive measures. Naloxone can precipitate withdrawal in chronic users. (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is opium tincture used for?
The reviewed US label states that opium tincture is useful for the treatment of diarrhea. (1)
Can children take opium tincture?
The reviewed label does not recommend opium tincture for children because safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. (1)
Does opium tincture contain alcohol?
Yes. The reviewed product is formulated with 19% alcohol and water and contains 10 mg morphine per 1 mL. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of opium tincture?
For diarrhea, opiates enhance tone in long segments of longitudinal intestinal muscle and inhibit propulsive contractions of both circular and longitudinal muscles. Relatively small doses that do not produce significant analgesia are effective in controlling diarrhea. (1)
What is the generic name of Opium tincture (deodorized)?
The generic name is opium tincture. (1)
What class of drug is opium tincture?
Opium tincture (deodorized) is classed as: Morphine-containing opioid antidiarrheal preparation. (1)
References
- Opium Tincture Deodorized (morphine tincture) — full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration (via DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient opium tincture names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Morphine sulfate20 mg/mL, 30 mg, 8 mg/mL, 60 mg, 80 mg, 20 mg, 200 mg, 10 mg/mL · bryant ranch prepack
- Opium Tincture Deodorized1 g00mL, 10 g000mL, 10 mg/mL · ani pharmaceuticals, inc.
- MS Contin30 mg, 60 mg, 15 mg · rhodes pharmaceuticals llc
- Duramorph.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL · hikma pharmaceuticals usa inc.
- INFUMORPH 20010 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL · hikma pharmaceuticals usa inc.
- MITIGO200 mg/20mL, 500 mg/20mL · piramal critical care, inc.
Canada
- STATEX
- MORPHINE SULFATE
- MORPHINE SULFATE INJ
- MS CONTIN SRT
- MS IR
- KADIAN
- STATEX SUPPOSITORIES
- MORPHINE SULPHATE
- MORPHINE SR
- MORPHINE