Morphine and Abrocitinib: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 10, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Morphine
No brand names on recordAbrocitinib
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Let me explain this one simply. Abrocitinib (Cibinqo) can slow down a natural 'pump' in your body that normally helps move morphine out. When that pump is blocked, more morphine can build up in your system, roughly double the usual amount in theory.
That extra morphine can mean stronger effects than expected, like heavy drowsiness, low blood pressure, or slowed breathing. I don't want to alarm you, though. This is based on how the drugs work rather than lots of real-world cases. The good news is your care team can manage it by watching you closely and adjusting your dose if needed. Please talk with your pharmacist or doctor before changing anything.
Effect: Abrocitinib inhibits P-glycoprotein (P-gp), reducing efflux of the substrate morphine and potentially increasing morphine exposure (~2-fold), raising the risk of CNS/respiratory depression, profound sedation, hypotension, and coma.
Direction: Increased morphine effect (neither drug is a prodrug here).
- Mechanism: P-gp efflux inhibition by abrocitinib.
- Onset: Unspecified.
- Evidence: Theoretical.
- Management: If coadministration is required, monitor for CNS and respiratory depression that may exceed expectations. Morphine and/or abrocitinib dose may need to be individualized and reduced as clinically indicated.
What happens
Increased morphine exposure and an increased risk of morphine-related adverse effects (hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma)
Interaction Deep Dive
Taking morphine together with a P-gp inhibitor can raise morphine exposure (by roughly 2-fold) and heighten the likelihood of adverse effects such as CNS and respiratory depression. When the two must be given together, watch for indications of CNS depression. Assess patients for respiratory depression that could exceed what would normally be anticipated, and reduce the dose of morphine and/or the P-gp inhibitor when needed1234.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of P-gp-mediated efflux transport by morphine
How to manage this interaction
Both medications can usually be used together when your care team keeps a closer eye on things. Here is what that typically looks like:
- Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
- Your team may monitor you more closely for signs of too much morphine, such as unusual sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, or slow/shallow breathing.
- Your morphine dose (or your abrocitinib dose) may need to be adjusted and individualized by your care team.
Get emergency help for very slow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or trouble waking. And check with your pharmacist or doctor before making any changes.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Morphine and Abrocitinib together?
Abrocitinib may raise morphine levels and increase sedation and slowed-breathing risk, so use both under close monitoring and let your care team adjust doses as needed. Watch for excessive drowsiness or slow breathing and seek help if they occur. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Morphine and Abrocitinib interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Morphine and Abrocitinib interaction managed?
Both medications can usually be used together when your care team keeps a closer eye on things. Here is what that typically looks like: Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise. Your team may monitor you more closely for signs of too much morphine, such as unusual sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, or slow/shallow breathing. Your morphine dose (or your abroc… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Morphine or Abrocitinib need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (4)
- Product Information: MS CONTIN(R) oral extended-release tablets, morphine sulfate oral extended-release tablets. Purdue Pharma LP (per FDA), Stamford, CT, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: KADIAN(R) oral extended-release capsules, morphine sulfate oral extended-release capsules. Allergan USA, Inc (per FDA), Madison, NJ, 2019. DailyMed
- Product Information: Morphine sulfate oral solution, morphine sulfate oral solution. Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc (per FDA), Berkeley Heights, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: Morphine sulfate oral tablets, morphine sulfate oral tablets. Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.(Per FDA), Berkeley, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Morphine
Keep reading about Abrocitinib
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Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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