What Side Effects Should I Watch for When Taking Kadian?
Morphine doesn’t get as much attention these days as more potent opioids like fentanyl, which is a leading cause of fatal drug overdoses in the United States. Still, any kind of opioid can cause several different side effects and have a high potential for misuse and addiction. All opioids can be dangerous in certain situations, even if they’re prescribed to treat a medical condition. There are many side effects of Kadian, the brand name for morphine, but the good news is help is available at the best prescription drug rehab in Florida for those who are struggling with an addiction to this drug.
Table of contents
» What Is Kadian?
» Can Kadian Affect My Breathing or Heart Rate?
» Does Kadian Increase the Risk of Dependence or Addiction?
» Can Kadian Interact With Other Medications or Alcohol?
» Key Takeaways on Side Effects of Kadian
» Resources
What Is Kadian?
Kadian is a brand name for the opioid morphine in a capsule form that is an extended-release prescription medication to manage pain that requires daily and long-term treatment. It’s effective at helping people with severe pain by changing how their brains respond to and sense pain. In most cases, it’s only prescribed to those who don’t respond well to non-opioid medications or short-acting opioids.
There are many common side effects of Kadian, including:
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach problems
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling life-headed
- Feeling extremely happy or sad
In addition to these common things, people who use Kadian can experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Slowed heart rate and weak pulse
- Fainting
- Slower breathing
- Chest pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling like you’re going to pass out
- Decreased hormones from the adrenal gland can cause stomach problems, appetite loss, joint or muscle pain, and feeling tired.
In addition, Kadian can potentially lead to a condition known as serotonin syndrome that causes symptoms like hallucinations, agitation, shivering, stomach problems, and other things. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Can Kadian Affect My Breathing or Heart Rate?
Opioids, including Kadian, depress the central nervous system, and that can cause problems with breathing and heart rate. Among the side effects of Kadian are a suppressed brain instinct to breathe, which is why people who are using this drug can start to struggle with slow or shallow breathing or stop breathing entirely. The risk of this happening increases with higher doses of the medication, especially during an overdose.
Many factors can increase the risk of these respiratory problems, including:
- Other breathing problems, such as asthma or COPD.
- Taking Kadian with other central nervous depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives.
- Advanced age
- Being young, babies and toddlers can easily suffer from breathing problems if they accidentally ingest this medication.
Additionally, Kadian can cause slow or irregular heartbeats or lead to rapid heartbeats. Dangerously slow heart rate and a weak pulse are possible during an overdose of the drug, for example, while some users have experienced a fast or pounding heartbeat from this drug. Kadian can also cause low blood pressure, which can make people feel lightheaded, dizzy, or about to faint.
These side effects are serious, and anyone experiencing breathing or heart rate problems while on Kadian needs to seek out immediate medical attention–especially if they’re suffering from slow or shallow breathing, slow or irregular heart rate, extreme dizziness or drowsiness, cold or clammy skin, or if they’ve become unresponsive or keep fainting.
Does Kadian Increase the Risk of Dependence or Addiction?
The list of the most addictive prescription drugs includes many different types of opioids. Unfortunately, any kind of opioid, even those that medical professionals legitimately prescribe, puts users at risk of developing a tolerance, dependence, or addiction to the drug.
Kadian contains morphine, and because it’s an extended-release medication, people who are on this drug are at a higher risk of overdose and even death due to a stronger dosage of morphine. The truth is that people can become addicted to opioids like Kadian even if they’re taking recommended doses as prescribed by a doctor. That’s why medical professionals closely monitor how patients are responding to opioid medications to watch out for potential warning signs of dependence or addiction.
In addition to posing the risk of dependence or addiction when taken as prescribed, people who misuse Kadian are at a high risk of developing a problem as they take more than prescribed or start to use it in ways other than intended (such as crushing, snorting, chewing, or injecting the drug rather than taking it in capsule form).
These different ways of ingesting the drug can be particularly dangerous because people will be exposed to a high dose of morphine all at once, rather than gradually as designed, and that can make them especially susceptible to suffering from potentially deadly drug overdoses.
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Can Kadian Interact With Other Medications or Alcohol?
The side effects of Kadian are worrying enough, but people who use this drug also need to be careful about how it could interact with other medications or alcohol. The reason for this is that Kadian is a central nervous system depressant, and mixing it with other things that depress the central nervous system can amplify the effects and lead to dangerous breathing and heart problems.
Certain drugs are particularly dangerous in the way they interact with Kadian, including benzodiazepines. Using both at the same time can easily lead to serious problems like severe sedation, slow or stopped breathing, coma, and even death. These same risks can occur with other depressants that aren’t benzodiazepines, such as alcohol, anesthetics, muscle relaxers, tranquilizers, sedatives, antipsychotics, and other opioids.
Kadian can also interact with antidepressants in the class of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which can increase the effects of the opioid and cause respiratory depression, confusion, and even coma. That’s why people are told not to use MAOIs at the same time as or within 14 days of taking Kadian.
In addition, Kadian can cause potentially serious problems in people with certain types of medical conditions, such as:
- COPD
- If they’re elderly or considered to be debilitated
- Certain head injuries or brain tumors
- Stomach problems, such as gastrointestinal obstruction
- Seizure disorders
Key Takeaways on Side Effects of Kadian
- Kadian is a long-acting opioid that is prescribed to treat severe pain in patients who require round-the-clock medication.
- This oral capsule contains the opioid morphine.
- Kadian can cause many different side effects, ranging from minor to potentially life-threatening.
- Like other opioids, Kadian carries the potential for developing a dependence or addiction–even if taken as prescribed.
- Certain other drugs or medical conditions can dangerously interact with Kadian and even lead to death.
The side effects of Kadian are many, ranging from stomach problems and drowsiness to extremely dangerous slow breathing or heart rate. If you or your loved one is struggling with Kadian addiction, the team at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab can help. Our network of Florida prescription drug addiction treatment centers offers effective detox and rehab programs that can help people safely get off this powerful drug and learn to deal with the physical and mental aspects of their addiction. A better life is possible with our help. Take the first step toward your brighter future by calling us at 877-855-3470 today.
Resources
- Drugs.com – Kadian
- Government of Canada – Details for: Kadian
- Mayo Clinic – Morphine (Oral Route)
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
