Morphine is a potent opioid prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. While its pain-relieving effects may last only a few hours, morphine and its metabolites can remain in your body for much longer, especially in your urine. Understanding how long morphine stays in your urine and other parts of the body is essential for those undergoing drug tests, concerned about opioid misuse, or preparing for detox.

What Is Morphine and How Does It Work?

Morphine is a naturally occurring opiate derived from the opium poppy plant. As a Schedule II controlled substance, morphine is medically accepted but carries a high potential for misuse and addiction. It works by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the perception of pain while inducing relaxation and, in some cases, euphoria.

Morphine comes in various formulations, including:

• Immediate-release tablets and capsules
  
  
• Extended-release forms like MS Contin
  
  
• Liquid morphine (Roxanol)
  
  
• Injectable forms (intravenous and intramuscular)
  
  

Each type of morphine affects how long it stays in your system, both in terms of pain relief and drug test detection.

How Long Does Morphine Stay in Your System?

Morphine Half-Life and Elimination

Morphine has a short elimination half-life of about 2 to 3 hours. This means that within 15 hours—roughly five half-lives—most of the drug is eliminated from your bloodstream. However, this doesn’t mean it’s entirely gone from your body.

Factors such as liver function, age, body fat percentage, dosage, frequency of use, and the type of morphine taken all impact how long it stays in your system. Even if the pain relief wears off, morphine metabolites may still be present in your body, especially in your urine and hair follicles.

How Long Does Morphine Stay in Urine, Blood, Saliva, and Hair?

Different drug tests have different detection windows for morphine. The most commonly used method is a urine test, but other methods like blood, saliva, and hair tests are also employed.

These timelines can vary depending on individual metabolic rates and the form of morphine consumed. Morphine can show up on a drug test long after the visible effects wear off, especially in hair samples, which preserve drug residues the longest.

Duration by Type of Morphine

Oral Tablets and Capsules

Immediate-release morphine pills usually offer pain relief for 4 to 6 hours. Extended-release formulations like MS Contin can last from 8 to 24 hours. Even after the effects wear off, traces may linger in your body and be detected in urine or blood tests.

Extended-Release (ER) Morphine

ER morphine, including drugs like Kadian or MS Contin, releases slowly over time, which can extend both the duration of effects and the detection window. These formulations may stay in your system longer, especially in the case of frequent or high-dose use.

Liquid Morphine (Roxanol)

Liquid morphine works faster, with effects beginning in 15 to 30 minutes and lasting around 4 to 6 hours. However, it may still be detectable in your system for up to 3 days depending on metabolism and dosage.

Injectable Morphine (IV and IM)

IV morphine provides rapid relief within minutes and is often used in hospital settings. Despite its short duration of effect (1 to 2 hours), metabolites can remain detectable for days. Intramuscular (IM) injections have a slightly slower onset but similar duration.

How Long Do the Effects of Morphine Last?

Although morphine’s therapeutic effects are relatively short-lived, ranging from 1 to 6 hours depending on the formulation and route of administration, the substance may remain in your body well beyond that.

• Oral: 4 to 6 hours
  
  
• ER: 8 to 24 hours
  
  
• Liquid: 4 to 6 hours
  
  
• IV/Injection: 1 to 2 hours
  
  

The difference between how long morphine lasts in terms of pain relief versus how long it stays in your system is essential to understand, especially if you are undergoing drug testing.

How to Get Morphine Out of Your System

The most effective way to eliminate morphine from your body is simply time. That said, certain healthy practices can support your body’s natural detoxification:

• Stay well-hydrated
  
  
• Engage in light physical activity
  
  
• Eat high-fiber foods
  
  
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs
  
  

However, if you’ve been using morphine regularly or at high doses, do not attempt detox without medical guidance. Abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms. A medically supervised detox program is recommended to safely clear the drug from your system.

Ready to Break Free from Morphine? Let Asana Recovery Help

At Asana Recovery, we understand the physical and emotional toll that morphine addiction can take. Whether you’re struggling with long-term use, facing repeated positive drug tests, or trying to get morphine out of your system safely, we’re here to guide you toward lasting recovery.

Our medically supervised detox programs, personalized outpatient treatment, and holistic care options are designed to support you every step of the way. Don’t let morphine control your future—reach out today and let our experienced team help you reclaim your life.

Morphine can be a powerful tool for managing pain, but it also carries risks for dependency, addiction, and overdose. At Asana Recovery, we provide personalized addiction treatment programs tailored to each client’s needs. Whether you need medically supervised detox, residential care, or outpatient support, our compassionate team is here to help.

Take the first step toward recovery. Contact Asana Recovery today to learn more about our opioid treatment options and begin your path to healing.

Explore our services across Orange County:

• Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Costa Mesa
• Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Huntington Beach
• Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Rehab in Fountain Valley

FAQs About Morphine Duration and Detection

How long does morphine stay in your urine?

Morphine is typically detectable in urine for up to 3 days. This depends on dosage, frequency of use, and individual metabolism.

How long does morphine stay in your blood?

Morphine may be detected in blood for up to 3 days, though this can vary depending on dose and metabolic rate.

How long does morphine stay in your system for drug tests?

It can be detected in saliva for up to 4 days and in hair for as long as 90 days. Urine and blood tests typically detect morphine for up to 3 days.

How long does IV morphine last?

IV morphine effects last 1 to 2 hours, but detection in the system may continue for several days.

How long does morphine take to kick in?

Oral morphine begins working in 30 to 60 minutes, liquid morphine within 15 to 30 minutes, and IV morphine in under 5 minutes.

What affects how long morphine stays in your system?

Factors include age, body fat, liver health, type of morphine used (ER, IV, liquid), and whether it’s a first-time or long-term use.

How long does morphine last in your system compared to its effects?

While effects may fade in hours, morphine metabolites often stay in the system and may show up in tests for days.

How can you get morphine out of your system faster?

Hydration, healthy eating, and exercise can help, but there’s no guaranteed method to speed up elimination beyond time. Medically supervised detox is recommended for long-term users.

Sources 

• National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2020). Morphine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554498/
• SAMHSA. (2023). Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. https://www.samhsa.gov/
• U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023). Morphine Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682133.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Opioid Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/index.html