Drug interactions
Morphine + Ticagrelor
Severity: Moderate
Morphine and Ticagrelor: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Opioids such as morphine delay and reduce absorption of oral ticagrelor and its active metabolite, leading to slower onset of platelet inhibition in acute coronary syndromes. This may leave patients inadequately protected during early percutaneous intervention.
What this interaction means in plain words
Morphine and Ticagrelor can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Ticagrelor belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Opioid-induced slowing of gastric emptying and gut motility delays ticagrelor absorption.
What to do
In acute coronary syndrome consider a parenteral antiplatelet agent such as cangrelor, or non-opioid analgesia where feasible. Do not delay antiplatelet therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
Other interactions of Ticagrelor
- Itraconazole + Ticagrelor Contraindicated
- Ketoconazole + Ticagrelor Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Ticagrelor Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Ticagrelor Major
- Abrocitinib + Ticagrelor Major
- Acalabrutinib + Ticagrelor Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Morphine with Ticagrelor?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Morphine and Ticagrelor can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Opioids such as morphine delay and reduce absorption of oral ticagrelor and its active metabolite, leading to slower onset of platelet inhibition in acute coronary syndromes. This may leave patients inadequately protected during early percutaneous intervention.
How serious is the interaction between Morphine and Ticagrelor?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: In acute coronary syndrome consider a parenteral antiplatelet agent such as cangrelor, or non-opioid analgesia where feasible. Do not delay antiplatelet therapy.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine page.
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