Also known as extended-release or controlled-release morphine sulfate, MS Contin is a prescription opiate painkiller used for treating moderate to severe chronic pain in people who do not respond to less powerful medications. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means that while it has medical uses, it also has a high potential for abuse.
MS Contin comes in the form of an extended-release tablet meant to be taken every eight to 12 hours. Doses come in 15-mg, 30-mg, 60-mg, 100-mg, and 200-mg tablets, the last two of which are only for use by people who have become tolerant to opiates. According to research in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, extended-release oral morphine administered every 12 hours is as effective for controlling pain as immediate-release oral morphine given every four hours.
MC Contin must be taken as a whole tablet. Chewing, splitting, crushing or dissolving it can result in the full 12-hour dose of morphine being delivered all at once, which can cause a fatal overdose.
Who Uses MS Contin?
MS Contin is usually prescribed for people who have a chronic pain condition that requires around-the-clock medication. A study in Journal of General Internal Medicine describes conditions that can require this level of pain management:
- Cancer
- Lower back pain
- Injury-related pain
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Degenerative joint disease
In addition, people in the study using opiates like MS Contin for chronic pain also had elevated rates of psychiatric conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Alcohol abuse or dependence
- Narcotic abuse or dependence
- Prescription opiate abuse
A larger study in the Journal of Pain Research followed 1,487 people who filled at least one prescription for morphine and found:
- 57 percent were female
- 87 percent were white, 9 percent were black, 4 percent were Hispanic, and 0.3 percent were Asian
- 92 percent had experienced pain for over a year
Although the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) does not track use of each brand of drug individually, they did find that in 2012 over 35.5 million people had used prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes within their lifetimes, and that over four million had done so in the past month. They also found that such abuse patterns were most common in the Pacific states, and more common in urban areas than in rural areas.
Risks of Addiction
For some people, MS Contin abuse occurs as a gradual decline – some may develop tolerance to the drug and need to take it more frequently or in higher doses in order to get the same effects. Others may deliberately seek out the high that morphine offers, taking doses in excess of what a doctor recommends. SAMHSA found that in 2011, morphine products like MS Contin caused 34,593 emergency department visits.
MS Contin abuse has a range of potential risks and dangers:
- Overdose. In addition to taking too-high doses or taking MC Contin too frequently, opiate addicts can also crush the tablet into a powder that can be swallowed, snorted or injected. Although this produces a rapid, intense high, the S. National Library of Medicine warns that the rush can be lethal. Overdose can also occur accidentally if the tablet is broken or cut.People taking MS Contin should ensure that they only take whole, intact tablets, and only at the dosages their doctor directs. It is vitally important that people who have a prescription for MS Contin not share their medication and dispose of any remaining tablets properly after their course of treatment is complete. A single tablet of MS Contin is strong enough to cause lethal overdose in someone who does not have a tolerance to opiates, especially children.
- Respiratory depression. All opiates can lower the body’s rate of breathing, but MS Contin can do so drastically. This is most likely to occur in people who are first starting MS Contin or who are increasing their dose. People who are starting or increasing MS Contin should be particularly careful during the first week and should have close medical monitoring. People who have any pre-existing respiratory conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, are at elevated risk for having respiratory problems from MS Contin.
- Low blood pressure. MS Contin can cause severe drops in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting. This problem is particularly likely among people who have experienced recent blood volume loss, such as in surgery or from injury.
- Elevated risk among head injury patients. The reduced breathing caused by MS Contin can result in carbon dioxide accumulating in the bloodstream. Certain conditions can make the brain particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of this carbon dioxide, such as brain tumors, head injuries, or elevated pressure in the fluid cushioning the brain.
- Elevated risk in the elderly. Older people may metabolize MS Contin differently, allowing it to remain active and potent in their systems for longer. This increases the risk of respiratory or circulatory depression.
- Elevated risk of seizures. This can occur among people who have convulsive disorders.
- Elevated risk of gastrointestinal complications. This can occur among people who have digestive problems, such as blockage or narrowing of the bowels.
- Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. If a mother uses MS Contin regularly while pregnant, then her child may be born addicted to morphine. The baby can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if he does not receive proper medical care. Women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should evaluate the risks of MS Contin use with their doctor and, if MS Contin use is appropriate, be prepared to treat the infant once born.
- Impairments to reaction times and reflexes. This can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery while under the influence of MS Contin.
- Interactions with other depressant drugs. MS Contin can interact with other drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system. These interactions can cause dangerously low blood pressure, slowed breathing, unconsciousness, coma, or death.
Such drugs include:
- Alcohol
- Other prescription opiates
- Tranquilizers
- Muscle relaxants
- Sleeping pills
- Antipsychotic medication
- Many illegal drugs
- Tolerance and dependence. Morphine is highly habit-forming. People who use MS Contin for extended periods of time may develop tolerance to the drug and require increased doses, as well as develop dependence, which can cause withdrawal syndrome if the drug is stopped abruptly. People who have been taking MS Contin for long periods of time should work with their doctor to taper off their dosage gradually.
- Addiction. Abuse and addiction are distinct from physical tolerance and dependence, which can occur when MS Contin is used properly. Drug abuse occurs when a person uses MS Contin outside of a doctor’s guidelines for dosage and timing.
Signs of Addiction
You or your loved one may be addicted to MS Contin if you experience several of the following:
- Using MS Contin that you do not have a prescription for or that does not belong to you
- Using the drug more frequently or in larger doses than your doctor directs
- Using MS Contin in order to get high instead of for medical reasons
- Inability to cut down on your dosage when directed to do so
- Feeling intense cravings to use more MS Contin
- Feeling like your drug use has gotten out of control
- Spending substantial time and energy attempting to get a prescription for MS Contin despite being turned away by doctors
- Spending a great deal of time recovering from the effects of having used the drug
- Failing to complete responsibilities at home, school or work because of use
- Giving up important activities, such as family events or hobbies, because of drug use
- Continuing to use MS Contin even if it has begun causing problems in your life, such as legal consequences, interpersonal conflict, physical side effects, or mental deterioration
- Using the drug in circumstances where it could be physically hazardous, such as while driving a car
The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that MS Contin is a non-refillable prescription. If you are taking a single course of morphine and still experiencing pain after it is complete, call your doctor. If you will be taking MS Contin long-term, make sure to speak with your doctor regularly to ensure you get new prescriptions in a timely fashion. Taking these steps is normal and not considered a sign of addiction or drug-seeking behavior.
If you have a prescription for MS Contin and suspect that someone you know may be abusing the drug, keep a close eye on your medication and check to see if any tablets are missing.
Getting Help for Abuse
If you, or a loved one, are addicted to MS Contin, there is help. If you are dependent on the drug, you may be able to work with your doctor to gradually reduce your dose, tapering off morphine slowly. For addiction, it is often necessary to enter into a detoxification facility. Detox can provide stabilizing medications to reduce or prevent withdrawal while your body recovers and returns to normal.
Either way, your chances of relapsing back into morphine addiction are greatly reduced if you receive treatment afterward, reports the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Treatment might include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which teaches clients how to recognize the stresses and circumstances that trigger their drug abuse and develop new strategies for dealing with them
- Contingency management, which offers rewards like cash or vouchers for staying drug-free, attending group meetings, participating in therapy sessions, or taking treatment medications
- Motivational enhancement, which uses a series of interviews to help the client find their own inner motivations for seeking and adhering to treatment and getting clean from drugs
If you’d like to learn more about how to manage your MS Contin use or how to stop using safely, call one of our admissions coordinators. We’re ready to answer your questions and walk you through the process of undergoing detox and rehabilitation treatment at Skywood Recovery. Our expert medical team will guide you to health and recovery in a stable, comfortable setting. Now is the time – find out more by calling 269.280.4673.