The primary difference between fentanyl vs. morphine lies in their vastly different potency levels and distinct chemical structures, which shape their unique effects, medical applications, and associated risks.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid known for its extreme potency, while morphine is a natural opioid. Even though it is less potent, both pain medications can cause dependence, addiction, and overdose, among other adverse effects.
This article will explore the key fentanyl vs. morphine differences in effectiveness, addictiveness, cost, and more.
What Is Fentanyl, and How Does It Work?
Fentanyl is among the most potent opioids. It is prescribed for severe pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen or weaker opioids. It is also sometimes administered as an anesthetic.
Most commonly, however, this exceptionally powerful prescription painkiller is used to control severe post-surgery pain.
Although it is also used for severe chronic pain, using opioids for chronic pain generally isn’t recommended. It exposes patients to a high risk of opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction, as well as that of opioid-induced hyperalgesia and other adverse events.
Available in both immediate- and extended-release formulations, fentanyl comes in numerous forms, including:
- Buccal films (Onsolis®)
- Injections (Sublimaze®)
- Nasal sprays (Lazanda®)
- Sublingual tablets (Abstral®)
- Transmucosal lozenges (Actiq®)
- Transdermal patches (Duragesic®)
Fentanyl works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby hindering the transmission of pain signals. It also triggers sudden dopamine release. This burst of dopamine causes intense rewarding feelings, such as euphoria and deep relaxation, enhancing the drug’s potential for misuse and addiction.
Due to extraordinary potency and low cost, fentanyl—also known as Dance Fever and Goodfellas, among other names—has become a common street drug, leading to the third wave of the U.S. opioid epidemic.
What Is Morphine, and How Does It Work?
Morphine is a prescription opioid used to manage moderate-to-severe pain when weaker pain medications aren’t tolerated or potent enough. It is also used to produce certain semi-synthetic opioids like hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) and oxymorphone.
Available either as an immediate- or extended-release drug, morphine is marketed under various brand names, such as Kadian®, MS Contin®, and Roxanol®. Meanwhile, some street names for it include Morph, Dreamer, God’s Drug, and Unkie.
Morphine comes in many forms, including:
- Oral solutions
- Injectable solutions
- Rectal suppositories
- Oral tablets and capsules
Regardless of the type of morphine used, it works in the same way as fentanyl: by interacting with opioid receptors to block pain signals. Besides pain relief, it also induces strong euphoric and relaxing feelings by stimulating dopamine release.
Now that you’re familiar with both medications, it’s time for a more in-depth fentanyl vs. morphine comparison.
Key Differences Between Fentanyl vs. Morphine
The key difference between fentanyl vs. morphine is potency, as fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine.
With this in mind, let’s compare fentanyl vs. morphine chemical structures, effectiveness, cost, and other characteristics:
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Effectiveness
Despite the massive difference in fentanyl vs. morphine strengths, both pain medications are equally effective.
A study done by the University of Antioquia researchers comparing the effectiveness of intravenous fentanyl vs. morphine suggests that both analgesics are equally effective in controlling severe post-operative pain.
Similarly, researchers from MetroHealth Medical Center found no significant difference in the analgesic effectiveness of fentanyl vs. morphine.
Furthermore, a study by Tehran University of Medical Sciences researchers shows that both fentanyl and morphine are highly effective in treating acute pain in drug abusers with acute limb traumatic injury. However, fentanyl was found to relieve pain more rapidly than morphine.
Meanwhile, the difference in fentanyl vs. morphine duration of action largely depends on the drug’s formulation. Extended-release opioids exert analgesic effects for a longer period than immediate-release drugs, which typically work for around 4-6 hours.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Chemical Composition
The main difference between fentanyl vs. morphine chemical compositions is that fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, whereas morphine is natural. Synthetic vs. natural opioids differ in what they’re made of.
Natural opioids—or opiates—like morphine are made of naturally occurring opium alkaloids. In other words, they are extracted directly from the opium poppy plant.
By contrast, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are made of chemical compounds. While they are made to mimic the effects of opiates, they are fully human-made.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Addictiveness
There’s little difference in fentanyl vs. morphine addictiveness. Both are treated as Schedule II controlled substances due to a high potential for abuse, dependence, and opioid addiction.
Neither fentanyl nor morphine dependence discriminates; anyone taking these drugs, especially for a prolonged time, can become dependent and addicted.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Cost
The cost of morphine vs. fentanyl depends on the strength of your prescription, the drug’s formulation, your insurance coverage, and many other individual factors.
Both medications are available in generic versions, which are cheaper than brand-name drugs and usually covered by insurance.
For example, 1 mg/mL injectable morphine solution costs around $55 for 50 mL, whereas 1 mg/mL Duramorph® injectable solution may cost upwards of $314 for 100 mL. Meanwhile, a single generic oral transmucosal lozenge containing 400mcg of fentanyl costs roughly $20.50, while that of Actiq® might set you back around $116.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Overdose
Fentanyl and morphine expose patients to a high risk of opioid overdose. Nonetheless, fentanyl can cause an overdose at significantly lower doses due to its extreme potency. It can be lethal even in minuscule amounts.
Furthermore, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is even more perilous since its purity and potency are unregulated. Therefore, it may vary widely from one batch to another, amplifying the risk of fentanyl overdose.
To reduce the risk of fentanyl or morphine overdose, take these drugs strictly as prescribed and track your opioid intake to ensure you don’t take an extra dose by accident.
Next, let’s compare fentanyl vs. morphine side effects.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine Side Effects
Fentanyl and morphine side effect profiles are very similar because both drugs belong to the opioid family.
Most commonly, these drugs cause the following side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
Most studies show no differences in the rates of fentanyl vs. morphine side effects. However, a study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that morphine causes adverse effects slightly more often than fentanyl. Nausea, experienced by 7% of morphine patients and close to 4% of fentanyl patients, is the most common side effect of these opioids.
Furthermore, taking fentanyl or morphine for a prolonged time increases the likelihood of:
- Tolerance
- Organ damage
- Fertility problems
- Opioid dependence
- Fentanyl or morphine addiction
- Potentially fatal opioid overdose
Mixing fentanyl or morphine with other drugs and abusing them in different ways considerably enhances the risk of adverse effects, including overdose and death.
On this note, let’s discuss fentanyl vs. morphine drug interactions.
Fentanyl and Morphine Drug Interactions
Fentanyl and morphine may interact with many drugs, including but not limited to:
- Other opioids
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Certain antibiotics
- Anxiety medications
- Anti-seizure medications
- Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other sedatives
As a general rule, you should inform your doctor about any drugs, supplements, and herbal medicines you’re taking before initiating opioid therapy. Do not mix any substances with fentanyl or morphine without your doctor’s approval.
Also, under no circumstances should you mix morphine or fentanyl with alcohol. Even in small amounts, this drug combination can lead to organ damage, accidents, injuries, respiratory depression, overdose, and death.
Other Risk Factors of Fentanyl and Morphine
The main risk factors that put you at a higher risk of adverse effects associated with fentanyl and morphine include:
- Lung problems
- Kidney disease
- Mental disorders
- Allergy to opioids
- Poor liver function
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Brain disorders, such as tumors
- Substance use disorders (SUDs)
Discuss your medical history with your doctor before using opioids.
Fentanyl and morphine may also not be suitable for you if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby. Opioid use during pregnancy amplifies the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), miscarriage, and developmental delays, among other devastating outcomes.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Physical dependence and addiction to opioids are different, even though these terms are often used interchangeably. These conditions don’t always co-occur; you can be dependent on opioids without being addicted.
Opioid dependence is the physical reliance on these drugs that develops due to the changes in brain chemistry caused by prolonged opioid exposure. Everyone, including those who take fentanyl or morphine as prescribed, can become dependent because these drugs gradually cause your brain to stop producing endorphins while simultaneously creating more opioid receptors.
By contrast, opioid addiction—or opioid use disorder (OUD)—is primarily psychological. It often follows untreated opioid dependence and makes it virtually impossible for people to control their opioid use. Those addicted feel unable to quit opioids, even when using these drugs costs them their relationships, jobs, and health.
Fortunately, opioid dependence and addiction can be healed by seeking professional opioid use disorder treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Let’s explore the signs and symptoms of opioid dependence—tolerance and opioid withdrawal symptoms—that you should never ignore:
- Tolerance. With prolonged opioid use, the brain starts to produce increasingly more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. This explains why, after a while, the original dose may lose effectiveness; your body will need larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effects. If this happens, talk to your doctor. Do not take more medication than prescribed; it can have fatal consequences.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid-dependent people suffer from uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, ranging from flu-like symptoms to cravings, depression, and insomnia. For this reason, many continue taking opioids just to feel normal, even when they no longer need them for medical purposes. If this sounds like you, know that it is possible to break the cycle of opioid abuse and dependence.
Triumph Over Opioid Dependence With ANR Treatment
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) has revolutionized opioid dependence treatment with its innovative, scientifically-based approach. As the first and only treatment that addresses the root of opioid dependence, ANR has supported almost 25,000 people worldwide in achieving a long-lasting recovery.
Here are the key benefits ANR offers over traditional treatments:
- Effectiveness. ANR treatment restores the brain to its pre-dependence state by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system. Since it eradicates the neurobiological root of the problem, ANR negates the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms and relapse. As such, it promotes long-term success and has an unmatched success rate.
- Patient safety. ANR is carried out in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art medical equipment by highly experienced medical professionals. The ANR team consists of board-certified anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and other healthcare experts.
- Short procedure duration. With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, ANR can help you break free from opioid dependence in a matter of days.
Take the first step toward an opioid-free life today by contacting us and booking a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
Now that we’ve dissected the key fentanyl vs. morphine differences let’s summarize the key points we covered today:
- Fentanyl and morphine are potent opioid medications prescribed for pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid analgesics.
- Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is roughly 100 times more potent than the opiate morphine, making it even more dangerous and addictive.
- If you are struggling with fentanyl or morphine dependence, ANR treatment can help you conquer it swiftly and effectively by addressing its underlying neurobiological causes.
Fentanyl vs. Morphine FAQ
Morphine is somewhat safer than fentanyl because it isn’t nearly as potent. Nonetheless, it carries the same risks as fentanyl. It can also be misused, lead to dependence and addiction, and cause an overdose. Prolonged morphine use enhances these risks.
Fentanyl is used for chronic pain management in some cases. However, using opioids for chronic pain management is generally not recommended, as the risks typically outweigh the rewards.
ANR Clinic is located in Tampa, Florida. For your convenience, you can also find ANR centers around the world, including in Switzerland, Brazil, Israel, and Georgia. No matter which one you choose, rest assured you’ll receive the same level of quality and care.
Additional Information
Dilaudid vs. Fentanyl: Differences, Risks & Treatment Options
Methadone vs. Morphine: Are They Safe Options for Pain Relief?
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl: Similarities & Differences Explained