Roxanol, also known as morphine sulfate, is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Belonging to a class of medications called opioid analgesics, Roxanol works by affecting the way the body senses pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Roxanol in 1984. The medication is made by Elan Pharmaceuticals.
Potential side effects of Roxanol include, but may not be limited to,
dizziness, drowsiness, upset stomach, rash,
constipation and vomiting.
In October 2003, Elan Pharmaceuticals issued a "Dear Healthcare Professional" reporting serious adverse events and deaths resulting from accidental overdose of high concentration morphine sulfate oral solutions. In most of
these cases, morphine oral solutions ordered in milligrams (mg) were mistakenly interchanged for milliliters (mL) of the product, resulting in
20-fold overdoses.
In 2007, the
Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the Division of Public Health
Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, conducted a longitudinal
Adverse Events Reporting System Review of the U.S.
FDA's
most dangerous drugs. The study found morphine to be one of the most
dangerous drugs on the market with the fourth highest number of suspect drug
deaths. Throughout the eight years of the study, morphine was responsible for more than 1,600 suspect drug deaths as reported to the FDA.
See your doctor if you have experienced serious side effects associated with Roxanol. In addition, it may be important to
contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be
time limits within which you must commence suit.
See Also
- Painkillers: Overview
- Balance Problems: Overview
- Overdose: Overview
- Severe Constipation: Overview