MS Contin: A More Dangerous Form of Morphine
What is MS Contin?
MS Contin is a formulation of morphine that is made in time released tablets. The tablets are prescribed for chronic pain, typically for cancer patients, and are usually taken every twelve hours. MS Contin was designed specifically for inpiduals that need constant pain medication. It is different than the usual dosing of morphine which is usually administered every four to six hours for pain.
Morphine is the principal active agent in opium and acts directly on the central nervous system. Morphine is very addictive, especially when it is compared to other substances as it causes physical and psychological dependences very quickly. MS Contin is considered a Schedule II substance in the United States as it is very addictive.
How is MS Contin administered?
MS Contin is usually administered every twelve hours and is taken by mouth.
How does MS Contin work?
Since MS Contin is essentially morphine in another type of pill casing, therefore it affects a person’s physiology in the same way. Morphine is an opiate which binds to the opiate receptors in the brain and brings on feelings of euphoria and relaxation. It basically distracts both the mind and the body from any pain that may be felt, both real and imaginary. In this case MS Contin, morphine is released from the tablets every twelve hours. This occurs because there is a time release mechanism that is a wax inside of the pill.
This invention, though wonderful when used properly, can still be very dangerous not only because of the many side effects associated with morphine use but also because of the structure of the pill. In order to convert the pill into a legitimate intravenous drug, drug abusers heat up the pills. What many don’t know is the wax inside the pill, when heated then expands and encases the morphine. If an inpidual then injects the melted MS Contin, he or she will essential be injecting wax into his or her vein which can lead to very serious complications.
What are side effects of MS Contin?
It is possible to have an allergic reaction to MS Contin. Signs of this include:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat
If one is experiencing such side effects, a physician needs to be notified immediately.
Other common side effects include:
- Cold, clammy skin
- Shallow breathing, slow heartbeat
- Feeling light-headed, fainting
- Confusion
- Severe weakness or dizziness
- Seizure (convulsions)
Less serious side effects include:
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin
- Dizziness, headache, anxiety
- Memory problems
What are risks associated with MS Contin abuse?
As with any drug, there is always the risk of addiction and dependence resulting from prolonged use. Since MS Contin is in a time release form, it is very easy to overdose. Abuse of MS Contin, can cause both liver and renal failure. Psychological and physiological dependence are both very likely to occur, which makes stopping drug use difficult. Stopping MS Contin abuse is a very dangerous part of using MS Contin. Detoxing from MS Contin and other morphine derivates is not only difficult for obvious reasons. Stopping MS Contin use can lead to an extensive list of withdrawal symptoms including:
- Strong drug craving
- Insomnia
- Watery eyes
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Sweating
As the withdrawal continues other symptoms that may be displayed are:
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Body aches
- Severe abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Stronger drug cravings
Depression and vomiting are also very common. In addition, inpiduals may experience:
- Heart palpitation
- Raised blood pressure
- Chills
- Cold flashes
Pain in the bones, muscles, back and extremities are also very common. During this process, it is possible to administer a narcotic that will in turn alleviate the symptoms associated with withdrawal from the drug. Having said this, withdrawal should occur under the supervision of a trained professional just in case more serious symptoms occur. Though withdrawal from morphine is considered to be less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturates, if an inpidual is in poor health withdrawal could be fatal.
Treatment for MS Contin abuse is very feasible, especially when caught early. As stated prior, treatment should take place under supervision because of the risks associated and there are many different types of treatments available for inpiduals truly wishing to reform.
References
Ault, A. (2006). Chronic pain, addiction behavior are different: giving shorter-acting opioids to those already taking long-acting formulations might create tolerance.
Clinical Psychiatry News. January.
Brookoff D. (1993). Abuse potential of various opioid medications. Journal of General Internal Medicine 8:688-90.
Grau LE, Dasgupta N, Harvey AP, Irwin K, Givens A, Kinzly ML, Heimer R. (2007). Illicit use of opioids: is OxyContin a "gateway drug"? American Journal of Addiction. May-Jun;16(3):166-73
Longo, L. P., Parran, T., Johnson, B. Kinsey, W. (2000). Addiction: Part II. Identification and Management of the Drug-Seeking Patient. American Family Physicians.
Loguinov A, Anderson L, Crosby G, Yukhananov R (2001). "Gene expression following acute morphine administration". Physiol Genomics 6 (3): 169-81
I have been treated with Morphine contin for chronic pain for over three years. I am now on 60 mgs. every 8 hours and I still suffer a great amount of pain. I am afraid of not taking morphine and I don't know what I would take in it's place as I am in a great amount of pain every day. My back and neck hurts so much that I don't want to get out of bed and it hurts so much when I do stay in bed, that I can't stay in bed. Before I began morphine, I used to have very regular bowel attacks, that have been diagnosed as colitis, spastic bowel, crone's and a couple of other names I can't think of right now but most of those attacks have stopped even though my back and neck pain are still very bad.The more I do the better I feel but the more I do the more I am in pain for the following few days. What is in my future???
Susan Leslie
I have been taking MS Contin for the past 20 months for bone pain associated with Multiple Myeloma.Fortunately radiotherapy helped greatly with seven spinal fractures and I was able to reduce my daily intake to 40grams a.m. and 30 grams p.m..My failure to take any one morning recently led to horrible withdrawal symptoms.As you do not say why the pain is occurring I cannot offer any solutions,nor am I qualified to do so.I suggest you get yourself a specialist pain Doctor and he or she would be able to sort out your dilemma.May you get relief sooner rather than later because pain is dreadful.
One of the major negative elements associated with this form of drug is it slows down the respiratory system, in small doses this can be very beneficial to users but in greater doses, this can start to slow people down.
i was on MS-Contin for years prescribed by my doctor who knew i am a recovering alcoholic. I instantly got addicted to this drug and had increased tolerance quickly.I also detoxed on my own but did not know how sick i would become.I quit because i had relapsed on alcohol every time i cut down dose of MS-Contin..Happy to report i am off this drug over three years i am now clean and sober.
BLUE GENERIC MS CONTIN
I am taking MS Contin 30-3 a day. Since I always get generic, I get them in either light blue tabs, pink, or maroon (darker pink) tabs. I noticed when taking the blue generic MS Contin, my pain was helped very little. If I took a pink or maroon generic MS Contin, my pain was treated. I asked my pharmacist about this because I was at first concerned I was imagining the difference. I certainly did not want to increase my dose for a reason as silly as color! The pharmacist told me generics had a percent range of the active ingredients in their medicines. For instance, the range may be 5% to 10% of a tablet should contain a certain active ingredient. Many times, (to save money?-my opinion) the company would keep the amount as low as only 5%. With MS Contin in particular, he said I was not the only patient finding the blue generic MS Contin to be weak. I also had this same conversation with the physician who prescribes MS Contin for me. He confirmed it all. Since my insurance only allows me generics of MSC, I now always ask the pharmacy to be sure to give me any color generic, but blue. I have had no trouble with my pain treatment since I avoid those blues. There have been a few times the pharmacy had to order the medicine so I had a day's wait, but I always ran my script through when I had a day's worth left, just in case. I would love to hear anyone's input on this subject, positive or negative. And I hope it helps someone, too. [NOTE: If I remember, non-generic MSC is blue, too. I refer here ONLY to generic MSC.]
I am only 23 years old and I have been on pain medication since I was 18 or 19 years old. I first was put on Percocet due to a car accident then the doctor changed me to oxycodone, so the Tylenol wouldn't mess up my stomach and then now she has put me on ms contin (morphine) 30mgs 3 x days, and now I cannot go more than 24 hours with my medicine. I recently was in another car accident and I haven't increased my medication use but I am DYING to get off all medications. I truly rather be in pain for ever than be dependent on any medications.. It's horrible! I never saw myself as an addict but I have to admit even though I take my medicine as prescribed.. I am addicted! And I am so young, my husband doesn't even know because I am afraid how he will look at me. I really need help.