MS Contin

MS Contin

Generic Name: morphine sulfate controlled-release tablets

Brand Names: MS Contin

What is MS Contin?

MS Contin is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.

MS Contin is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Controlled-release MS Contin tablets are used when around-the-clock pain relief is needed.

MS Contin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about MS Contin

You may not be able to take this medicine unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant.

MS Contin may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. MS Contin should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not drink alcohol while you are using MS Contin. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with MS Contin. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.

Never take more than your prescribed dose of MS Contin. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not stop taking MS Contin suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Before using MS Contin

Do not use MS Contin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take MS Contin if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. MS Contin may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. MS Contin should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Before using MS Contin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

liver or kidney disease;

underactive thyroid;

curvature of the spine;

a history of head injury or brain tumor;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

low blood pressure;

gallbladder disease;

Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;

enlarged prostate, urination problems;

mental illness; or

a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

You may not be able to take MS Contin unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Morphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

How should I use MS Contin?

Use MS Contin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take MS Contin in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Too much morphine could be very harmful. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not crush, chew, or break an controlled-release MS Contin tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. It will release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Do not stop using MS Contin suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store MS Contin at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. MS Contin is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you are using MS Contin regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Controlled-release MS Contin tablets are not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of morphine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, confusion, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, shallow breathing, fainting, or breathing that stops.

What should I avoid while using MS Contin?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking MS Contin. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with MS Contin. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. MS Contin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

MS Contin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;

seizure (convulsions);

cold, clammy skin;

confusion;

severe weakness or dizziness; or

feeling light-headed, fainting.

Less serious MS Contin side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

constipation;

warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

dizziness, headache, anxiety;

memory problems; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: MS Contin side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect MS Contin?

Avoid taking MS Contin if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Side effects can be more severe if you use MS Contin before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not take MS Contin with other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Before taking MS Contin, tell your doctor if you are using pentazocine (Talwin), nalbuphine (Nubain), butorphanol (Stadol), or buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use MS Contin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with MS Contin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More MS Contin resources

MS Contin Side Effects (in More Detail)

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MS Contin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

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Kadian Prescribing Information (FDA)

Morphine Sulfate Monograph (AHFS DI)

Oramorph SR Prescribing Information (FDA)

RMS Suppositories MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare MS Contin with other medications

Pain

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about MS Contin.