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MS Contin

(morphine sulfate sustained release)

In this factsheet:
• How does MS Contin work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use MS Contin?
• What form(s) does MS Contin come in?
• Who should NOT take MS Contin?
• What side effects are possible with MS Contin?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for MS Contin?
• What other drugs could interact with MS Contin?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does MS Contin work? What will it do for me?

Morphine belongs to the class of medications called narcotic analgesics (pain relievers). This medication is used to treat severe chronic pain. It acts on the brain to increase pain tolerance. This pain reliever should only be used when chronic pain control is necessary and should not be used to treat acute pain. Your doctor may prescribe additional pain relievers that act more quickly for treatment of acute or "breakthrough" pain.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

How should I use MS Contin?

The dose of long-acting morphine varies widely based on needs. Tablets or capsules are to be taken every 12 hours on a regular schedule in order to achieve pain relief. In order to preserve the long-acting activity of the medication, the tablets or capsules should not be chewed or crushed.

This medication may be habit forming if taken for long periods of time. You may experience withdrawal effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly after extended use. If you plan on stopping the medication, your doctor may want you to reduce the dose gradually to reduce the severity of withdrawal effects.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor first, and do not increase the dose of this medication without consulting your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does MS Contin come in?

15 mg
Each green, round, sustained-release, film-coated, biconvex tablet, imprinted with PF on one side and 15 mg on the other, contains morphine sulfate 15 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate and talc; film coating: Opadry OY-8855: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 2, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. Alcohol-, gluten-, sulfite- and tartrazine-free.

30 mg
Each violet, round, sustained-release, film-coated, biconvex tablet, imprinted with PF on one side and 30 mg on the other, contains morphine sulfate 30 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate and talc; film coating: Opadry YS-1-4729: D&C Red No. 7 Calcium Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80 and titanium dioxide. Alcohol-, gluten-, sulfite- and tartrazine-free.

60 mg
Each orange, round, sustained-release, film-coated, biconvex tablet, imprinted with PF on one side and 60 mg on the other, contains morphine sulfate 60 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate and talc; film coating: Opadry OY-3508 Orange: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No. 3 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. Alcohol-, gluten-, sulfite- and tartrazine-free.

100 mg
Each grey, round, sustained-release, film-coated, biconvex tablet, imprinted with PF on one side and 100 mg on the other, contains morphine sulfate 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate and talc; film coating: Opadry OY-8215 Grey: FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, yellow, iron oxide, black, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. Alcohol-, gluten-, lactose-, sulfite- and tartrazine-free.

200 mg
Each red, scored, caplet-shaped, sustained-release, film-coated, biconvex tablet, imprinted with PF on one side and 200 mg on the other, contains morphine sulfate 200 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate and talc; film coating: Opadry OY-5970: FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 400 and titanium dioxide. May be broken in half. Alcohol-, gluten-, lactose-, sulfite- and tartrazine-free.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take MS Contin?

This medication should not be taken by anyone with:

• an allergy to narcotic analgesics or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• acute asthma or other obstructive airway disease
• acute respiratory depression
• acute alcoholism or delirium tremens
• severe cirrhosis
• severe depression of the central nervous system (i.e., sedation)
• cor pulmonale
• abnormal heart rhythms
• convulsive (seizure) disorders
• head injury, brain tumour, or increased pressure inside the head or spinal cord
• a medication regimen (current or completed in the last 14 days) that includes MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine
• suspected abdominal conditions which may require surgery
• surgical anastomosis
• recent surgery of the biliary tract
• severe low blood pressure

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