Morphine sulfate (mor-fean sul-fate)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about MS Contin modified release tablets ("tablets").
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What MS Contin tablets are taken for
MS Contin tablets contain morphine sulfate. Morphine belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.
MS Contin tablets are taken to treat chronic severe pain.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
As with all strong painkillers, your body may become used to you taking MS Contin tablets. Taking it may result in physical dependence. Physical dependence means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking MS Contin tablets suddenly, so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take it
When you must not take it
Do not take MS Contin tablets if you:
have any breathing problems such as acute asthma, respiratory depression (breathing slows or weakens) or other obstructive airways disease
are severely drowsy or have a reduced level of consciousness
suffer from irregular heartbeats or changes in the way the heart beats
have heart disease due to long-term lung disease
have just consumed a large amount of alcohol, regularly consume large amounts of alcohol or have confusion and shaking due to alcohol withdrawal
suffer from convulsions, fits or seizures
have a head injury, brain tumour, increased pressure in your head or spine
have sudden, severe abdominal pain
have a condition where your stomach empties more slowly than it should or your small bowel does not work properly
have an obstruction of the bowel or a condition where it could occur
have severe kidney or liver disease or a disease of the brain caused by liver disease
are about to have an operation or have had one within the last 24 hours including surgery on your spine for pain relief
take a medicine for depression called a 'monoamine oxidase inhibitor' or have taken any in the last two weeks.
Do not take MS Contin tablets if you are allergic to morphine, opioid painkillers, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the strengths of this medicine also contain lactose so consider this if you are lactose intolerant.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work very well.
Do not take it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant whilst taking this medicine.
Like most medicines of this kind, MS Contin tablets are not recommended to be taken during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks of using it if you are pregnant.
Do not give this medicine to a child under one year of age or weighing less than 25 kg.
Safety and effectiveness in children under one year of age or weighing less than 25 kg have not been established.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
low blood pressure
increased prostate size or difficulty passing urine
problems or recent surgery of your gall bladder or bile duct
inflammation of the pancreas
underactive adrenal glands
underactive thyroid gland
inflammatory bowel disease or recent abdominal surgery
galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or have problems with glucose-galactose absorption
an addiction or history of abuse of alcohol or drugs.
This medicine is not recommended to be taken during labour.
Morphine given to the mother during labour may cause breathing problems in the newborn.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Morphine can pass into the breast milk and can affect the baby. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking MS Contin tablets.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines or dietary supplements, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines, alcohol and MS Contin tablets may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines to treat depression, psychiatric or mental disorders
medicines to treat depression belonging to a group called 'monoamine oxidase inhibitors' must be stopped 14 days before MS Contin tablets are taken
medicines to help you sleep
medicines to put you to sleep during an operation or procedure
medicines to relax your muscles
medicines to prevent or relieve the symptoms of allergy such as antihistamines
propranolol or other medicines to lower blood pressure
gabapentin or barbiturates, medicines to treat seizures
medicines to thin the blood e.g. coumarin derivatives such as warfarin
medicines used to relieve heartburn or treat stomach ulcers such as cimetidine or antacids (take antacids at least two hours before or after taking MS Contin tablets)
medicines to treat Parkinson's disease
medicines to treat urinary incontinence
medicines to stop nausea or vomiting e.g. metoclopramide or prochlorperazine
rifampicin, a medicine to treat tuberculosis
other pain relievers including other opioids
alcohol
medicines to treat HIV infection and AIDS e.g. ritonavir or zidovudine.
These medicines, dietary supplements or alcohol may be affected by MS Contin tablets, may affect how well MS Contin tablets work or may increase side effects. You may need to use different amounts of your medicines, or take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines and dietary supplements to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take MS Contin tablets
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take.
Follow the instructions your doctor or pharmacist gives you exactly.
How to take it
Swallow MS Contin tablets whole. Do not break, chew, crush or dissolve them.
MS Contin tablets are only designed to work properly if swallowed whole. The tablets may release all their contents at once if broken, chewed, crushed or dissolved, which can be dangerous and cause serious problems, such as an overdose which may be fatal.
If you have trouble swallowing your tablets whole, talk to your doctor.
You must only take MS Contin tablets by mouth.
Taking this medicine in a manner other than that prescribed by your doctor can be harmful to your health.
When to take it
Take MS Contin tablets every 12 hours.
Take MS Contin tablets regularly to control the pain.
Taking them at the same time each day will assist in ensuring the best effect in improving your pain. If, however, you begin to experience worsening pain and you are taking your MS Contin tablets as prescribed, contact your doctor as your dosage may have to be reviewed.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you stop taking this medicine suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
body aches
loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramps or diarrhoea
fast heart rate
sneezing or runny nose
chills, tremors, shivering or fever
trouble sleeping
increased sweating and yawning
weakness
nervousness or restlessness.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take your dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you have missed.
This will increase the chance of you getting unwanted side effects.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for hints.
For example, take your medicine at the same time each morning and evening such as 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too many MS Contin tablets.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
You should also follow the above steps if someone other than you has accidentally taken the tablets that were prescribed for you.
If someone takes an overdose they may experience difficulties in breathing, become drowsy and tired, lack muscle tone, have cold or clammy skin, have constricted pupils, have very low blood pressure or slow heart rate, and possibly may even become unconscious or die.
When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and any remaining tablets with you to show the doctor. Also tell them about any other medicines or alcohol which have been taken.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
Take MS Contin tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Before you start on a new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking MS Contin tablets.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are being given this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Tell your doctor if your pain is getting worse. Also tell your doctor if you are having any problems or difficulties while you are being treated with MS Contin tablets.
Tolerance to morphine may develop which means that the effect of the medicine may decrease. If this happens, your doctor may review your dose so that you get adequate pain relief.
Keep enough MS Contin tablets with you to last over weekends and holidays.
Things you must not do
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking MS Contin tablets.
Drinking alcohol whilst taking MS Contin tablets may make you feel more sleepy and increase the risk of serious side effects, such as shallow breathing with the risk of stopping breathing and loss of consciousness.
Do not take MS Contin tablets to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine, take more than your doctor has told you to, or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Over time your body may become used to morphine. If you stop taking it suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience unwanted side effects such as withdrawal symptoms. This is called physical dependence.
If you need to stop taking this medicine, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day, if possible, before stopping the medicine completely.
Things to be careful of
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how MS Contin tablets affect you.
MS Contin tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, confusion, vision problems or may affect alertness. If you are affected, you should not drive or operate machinery. Discuss these effects with your doctor.
Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines.
Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of a fall.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
Standing up slowly will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you suffer from nausea or vomiting when taking MS Contin tablets.
If you vomit after taking your dose, your pain may come back as you may not have absorbed your medicine. If this happens, speak to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe some medicine to help stop vomiting.
Tell your doctor if taking MS Contin tablets causes constipation.
Your doctor can advise you about your diet, the proper use of laxatives or alternative treatments and suitable exercise you can do to help manage this.
There is potential for abuse of morphine and the development of addiction to morphine. It is important that you discuss this issue with your doctor.
Side Effects
All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
Not everybody experiences them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking MS Contin tablets.
This medicine helps most people with severe pain, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. Other side effects not listed here may also occur in some people.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
mild abdominal problems such as feeling sick (nausea), loss of appetite or constipation
dry mouth or changes in taste
sweating
facial flushing
trouble sleeping
trouble with your balance
new problems with your eyesight
skin rash or itching
absence of menstrual periods, sexual problems or other hormonal changes
muscle twitching or muscle stiffness
swelling, including but not only of legs or ankles.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
stomach discomfort or cramps, vomiting, indigestion or abdominal pain
abnormal thinking or changes in mood
drowsiness, feeling faint or fainting or dizziness especially when standing up
slow or noticeable heartbeats
headache, confusion or hallucinations
unusual weakness or loss of strength
fatigue, generally feeling unwell
changes in passing urine such as the volume passed, pain or feeling the need to urinate urgently.
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
your breathing slows or weakens
you have an allergic reaction: shortness of breath, wheezing, shallow or difficult breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin
seizures, fits or convulsions
fast or irregular heartbeats.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and any remaining tablets with you to show the doctor.
After taking it
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom, near a sink or on a window sill.
Do not leave it in the car.
Heat and damp can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.
Product Description
What it looks like
MS Contin® modified release tablets are film-coated and biconvex in shape and are available in seven strengths:
5 mg - white, marked 5 mg on one side
10 mg - light tan, marked 10 mg on one side
15 mg - light green, marked 15 mg on one side
30 mg - purple, marked 30 mg on one side
60 mg - orange, marked 60 mg on one side
100 mg - grey, marked 100 mg on one side
200 mg - teal green, marked 200 mg on one side.
MS Contin® modified release tablets are available in boxes containing blister packs of 28 tablets.
Ingredients
Active ingredients:
5 mg tablets contain 5 mg morphine sulfate
10 mg tablets contain 10 mg morphine sulfate
15 mg tablets contain 15 mg morphine sulfate
30 mg tablets contain 30 mg morphine sulfate
60 mg tablets contain 60 mg morphine sulfate
100 mg tablets contain 100 mg morphine sulfate
200 mg tablets contain 200 mg morphine sulfate.
Inactive ingredients:
lactose anhydrous (except 100 and 200 mg)
hydroxyethylcellulose
cetostearyl alcohol
magnesium stearate
purified talc.
MS Contin® modified release tablets are coated with E171 (titanium dioxide), hypromellose (except 10 mg), macrogol 400 (except 10 mg), macrogol 3350 (10 mg only), polyvinyl alcohol (10 mg only) and purified talc (10 mg only).
In addition, the tablets also contain the colourants listed below:
10 mg tablet: E172 (iron oxide red, black and yellow)
15 mg tablet: E172 (iron oxide yellow), E104 (quinoline yellow), E132 (indigo carmine) and E133 (brilliant blue FCF)
30 mg tablet: E127 (erythrosine), E132 (indigo carmine) and E110 (sunset yellow FCF)
60 mg tablet: E110 (sunset yellow FCF), E104 (quinoline yellow) and E127 (erythrosine)
100 mg tablet: E172 (iron oxide black and yellow) and E132 (indigo carmine)
200 mg tablet: E104 (quinoline yellow) and E133 (brilliant blue FCF).
This medicine does not contain sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.
