Ms Contin

— THERAPEUTIC CATEGORIES —
  • Narcotic analgesics

Ms Contin Generic Name & Formulations

General Description

Morphine sulfate 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg, 200mg; ext-rel tabs.

Pharmacological Class

Opioid agonist.

How Supplied

XR tabs—100

Manufacturer

Generic Availability

YES

Ms Contin Indications

Indications

Management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative therapies are inadequate.

Limitations of Use

Not for use as an as-needed (prn) analgesic. Use only if alternative treatment options (eg, non-opioid analgesics, immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.

Ms Contin Dosage and Administration

Adult

Use lowest effective dose for shortest duration. Swallow whole. Individualize. Opioid-naive: initially 15mg every 8hrs or 12hrs. Opioid non-tolerant: initially 15mg every 12hrs. May adjust dose every 1–2 days. Use 100mg, 200mg tabs, a single dose >60mg, or a total daily dose >120mg in opioid-tolerant patients only. Renal failure, cirrhosis: initiate at lower dose; titrate slowly and monitor. Concomitant CNS depressants: initially 15mg every 12hrs; monitor and consider using a lower CNS depressant dose. Conversion from other morphine formulations or other opioids: see full labeling. Withdraw gradually (esp. if opioid-dependent), taper by ≤10–25% every 2–4 weeks.

Children

<18yrs: not established.

Ms Contin Contraindications

Contraindications

Significant respiratory depression. Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment. During or within 14 days of MAOIs. Known or suspected GI obstruction, including paralytic ileus.

Ms Contin Boxed Warnings

Boxed Warning

Addiction, abuse, and misuse. Risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS). Life-threatening respiratory depression. Accidental ingestion. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Risks from concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants.

Ms Contin Warnings/Precautions

Warnings/Precautions

Assess the potential need for access to naloxone when initiating and renewing therapy. Consider prescribing naloxone based on risk factors for overdose (eg, history of opioid use disorder, prior opioid overdose, household members or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or overdose). Abuse potential (monitor). Life-threatening respiratory depression; monitor within first 24–72hrs of initiating therapy and following dose increases. Accidental exposure may cause fatal overdose (esp. in children). Sleep-related breathing disorders (including central sleep apnea (CSA), sleep-related hypoxemia); consider dose reduction if CSA develops. COPD, cor pulmonale, decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or pre-existing respiratory depression; monitor and consider non-opioid analgesics. Adrenal insufficiency. Head injury. Increased intracranial pressure, brain tumors; monitor. Seizure disorders. CNS depression. Impaired consciousness, coma, shock; avoid. Biliary tract disease. Acute pancreatitis. Drug abusers. Renal or hepatic impairment. Reevaluate periodically. Avoid abrupt cessation. Elderly. Cachectic. Debilitated. Pregnancy; potential neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome during prolonged use. Labor & delivery, nursing mothers: not recommended.

REMS

YES

Ms Contin Pharmacokinetics

See Literature

Ms Contin Interactions

Interactions

See Contraindications. Increased risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, sedation with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (eg, non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, alcohol, other opioids); reserve concomitant use in those for whom alternative options are inadequate; limit dosages/durations to minimum required; monitor closely; consider prescribing naloxone if concomitant use is warranted. Risk of serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drugs (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, triptans, 5-HT3 antagonists, mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, MAOIs, linezolid, IV methylene blue); monitor and discontinue if suspected. Avoid concomitant mixed agonist/antagonist opioids (eg, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine) or partial agonist (eg, buprenorphine); may reduce effects and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms. May antagonize diuretics; monitor. Paralytic ileus may occur with anticholinergics. May be potentiated by cimetidine, P-gp inhibitors (eg quinidine); monitor. May increase serum amylase.

Ms Contin Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reactions

Constipation, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dysphoria, euphoria; respiratory depression, severe hypotension, syncope.

Ms Contin Clinical Trials

See Literature

Ms Contin Note

Not Applicable

Ms Contin Patient Counseling

See Literature