MS Contin ®

MS Contin ® is a time-released narcotic painkiller made from Morphine:

• Acts upon the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
• MS Contin ® is a sustained-released narcotic analgesic to treat moderate to severe pain lasting more than a few days.
• MS Contin ® is brand name for morphine sulfate
• Available in oral, extended-release tablets (and, by other trade names, as capsules). (i)
• Combined use with sedatives or alcohol will increase adverse side effects and potential for: dizziness, unconsciousness, respiratory collapse, and fatality.
• MS Contin ® analgesia acts upon various brain receptors and spinal cord.
• At higher doses, MS Contin may affect various organs and parts of the body.
• Co-occurring use with other central nervous system medicines will greatly increase risk of respiratory arrest.
• Depresses respiratory center.
• MS Contin ® not advised during an asthma attack or if bowels obstructed.
• Dulls the sensation of pain in the brain’s perception center.
• Elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of MS Contin.
• High, prolonged dosage and self-administration can lead to dependency or addiction.
• Histamine release may provoke hives, flushing, sweating, scratch reflex, blood vessel dilation, and wheals.
• Increases pain tolerance, and decreases suffering perception.
• MS Contin ® sustained-release tablets should only be taken whole.
• May cause mood swings from euphoric to dysphoric (high to low).
• More pharmacological effects than other narcotics (opioids) at comparable doses.
• MS Contin ® can be extremely addictive and must be used only under doctor's care.
• Not for post-surgical patients, unless they were already morphine tolerant.
• Potential, fatal side effects reported to occur when combined with alcohol.
• MS Contin’s morphine base is the original prototype of most narcotic drugs.
• PRN, as needed, around-the-clock.
• Quick pain-relief tolerance causes need for higher doses to produce same effect.
• Before any dental or medical care, doctors need to be informed of MS Contin use.
• Regulated under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule II narcotic.
• Risk of ‘head rush’, fainting, and loss of consciousness.
• Time-release formulation of MS Contin consists of a wax within the tablet (not outer coating) that encases and, when heated by body temperature, expands the morphine sulfate.
• Tolerance creates moderate to high physical or psychological dependence.
• Typically taken twice per day, every 12 hours.
• MS Contin ® use may alter the results of lab tests.
• Withdrawal symptoms occur with 24 hours of suddenly stopping a chronic dosage.
• Of the 6.4 million Americans misusing prescription drugs, more than 73% misused prescription pain relievers (2006, National Household Survey).
  

Learn more about MS Contin withdrawal and the Waismann Method of Rapid Detoxification.

 

(i) Alternate formulations marketed by other pharmaceutical firms: King Pharmaceuticals’ Avinza and Alpharma Pharmaceuticals’ Kadian.