MedWatch warns of alcohol use while on Avinza extended release morphine
Posted by Kate Murphy on November 5th, 2005
The FDA and Ligard Pharmaceuticals notified health professionals and consumers of [label changes for Avinza™](http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/safety05.htm#Avinza) on November 3, 2005. Avinza™ is an extended release form of morphine sulfate provided in capsules. Alcohol can cause a potentially fatal overdose of the drug. FDA MedWatch said,
“Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. and FDA notified healthcare professionals of revisions to BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections of the prescribing information to highlight and strengthen the warning that patients should not consume alcohol while taking Avinza. Additionally, patients must not use prescription or non-prescription medications containing alcohol while on Avinza therapy.
Ligard Pharmaceuticals, manufactures of Avinza™ issued a [Dear Health Professional Letter](http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/Avinza-ltr.pdf) to let them know of changes in the labeling. Included in that letter was the following addition to the *Black Box Warning* on the Avinza™ label.
Patients must not consume alcoholic beverages while on AVINZA therapy.
Additionally, patients must not use prescription or non-prescription medications
containing alcohol while on AVINZA therapy. Consumption of alcohol while taking
AVINZA may result in the rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of morphine.
The [new Avinza label](http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/avinza_PI.pdf) with changes highlighted in yellow can be downloaded as a PDF.
