MS Contin Tablets 100MG Pack Of 20

MS Contin Tablets


CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about MS Contin 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 MS Contin tablets against the benefits he or she expects they 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 is used for

MS Contin contains morphine sulfate which belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.

MS Contin tablets are used for treating chronic severe pain.

Your doctor may have prescribed MS Contin for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why MS Contin has been prescribed for you.

Before you use MS Contin tablets

When you must not use MS Contin tablets (discuss with your doctor)

  • If you have allergies to:

  • (a)MS Contin
  • (b)any medications known as opioid analgesics e.g. codeine
  • (c)any ingredient listed at the end of this leaflet
  • if you are suffering from any severe breathing problems, such as severe asthma.
  • if you suffer from irregular or rapid heart beats
  • if you suffer from heart disease
  • if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol
  • if you suffer from fits or convulsions
  • if you have had a head injury or brain tumour
  • if you are about to have an operation
  • if you have any liver disease
  • if you are taking medicine for depression called a `monoamine oxidase inhibitor` or have taken any in the last two weeks.
  • if you are pregnant or breast feeding, unless your doctor advises that you can use MS Contin. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved.
  • do not use the 200 mg strength of MS Contin if you have not used any of the lower strengths before.
  • do not use MS Contin after the expiry date (Exp) printed on the pack.

    • Do not take MS Contin tablets if the package shows any signs of tampering.

    Before you start to use MS Contin

    You must tell your doctor if:

  • you are using any other medicines, including:
  • cimetidine
  • any medicines that you have bought from a pharmacy or supermarket

    • Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions,

  • stomach pains or constipation
  • kidney or liver disease
  • increased prostate size
  • narrowing of the urinary tract
  • bile duct disease or inflammation of the pancreas
  • disorientation, hallucinations or severe headaches
  • low activity of the adrenal gland (Addison`s disease)
  • inflammatory bowel disease

    • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any other medicines, including:

  • medication for depression
  • medication to help you sleep
  • medication for allergy
  • pain relievers
  • alcohol
  • medication for the treatment of HIV infection

    • These medicines or alcohol may increase the side effects of MS Contin. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.

    Do not start to take any other medicine unless prescribed or approved by your doctor. This includes medicines you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    Using MS Contin tablets

    How to take MS Contin tablets

  • MS Contin tablet must be swallowed whole.
  • MS Contin tablets must not be chewed, crushed or dissolved.
  • take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • MS Contin tablets should be taken every 12 hours.
  • MS Contin must be taken regularly to control the pain. Taking MS Contin at regular time intervals means that the onset of pain is prevented. MS Contin should not be taken when you feel you need it as this will cause some pain to be experienced.
  • do not take any alcohol while you are being treated with MS Contin.
  • the amount of MS Contin needed to give good pain relief varies. The doctor will take into account your age, weight, level of pain and medical history when choosing your dose.
  • it is important to take the tablets at the times you have been told to. If, however, you begin to experience pain and you are taking your MS Contin as prescribed (`breakthrough pain`) contact your doctor as your dosage may have to be reviewed.

    • If you forget to take MS Contin

    If you forget to take a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

    If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints. An example is taking your medicine at the same time each day such as 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

    What to do in case of an overdose

    In the event of an overdose you should straight away contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre for advice, or go to the Casualty Department of your nearest hospital. Even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning it is important that you take immediate action.

    If someone takes an overdose they will probably become drowsy, tired, confused, have a very low blood pressure, experience difficulties in breathing and possibly become unconscious.

    While you are using MS Contin tablets

    Things you must do

    Visit your doctor regularly for a check up and always discuss with your doctor any problems or difficulties during or after taking MS Contin tablets.

    Tell your doctor if your pain is getting worse or you are having more frequent breakthrough pain. Take MS Contin tablets as your doctor has prescribed.

    Keep enough MS Contin tablets with you to last over weekends and holidays.

    Before having any type of surgery, tell your doctor or anaesthetist you are taking MS Contin tablets.

    Things to be careful of

    You may feel drowsy when you begin to take MS Contin tablets. If you drink alcohol, the drowsiness may be worse.

    Ask your doctor`s advice about whether or not it will be safe for you to drive or operate any machinery whilst taking MS Contin.

    You may suffer from nausea or vomiting when taking MS Contin tablets. If you vomit 2-3 hours after your dose your pain may come back as you will not have absorbed your morphine. If this happens speak to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe some medicine to help stop you vomiting.

    Constipation can be caused by morphine. You should speak to your doctor about your diet and the proper use of laxatives.

    Things you must not do

    Remember, MS Contin tablets should be taken strictly according to your doctor`s instructions. Do not change your dose of MS Contin unless your doctor has told you to.

  • Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

    • Side Effects

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any concerns while taking MS Contin tablets.

    MS Contin tablets help most people with the severe pain of cancer, but they may have unwanted side effects in some people.

    All medicine can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some side effects.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

    The more common side effects are:

  • constipation
  • drowsiness
  • sweating
  • confusion
  • dizziness
  • nausea or vomiting

    • Other effects include

  • difficulties in breathing
  • skin troubles such as rash (red spots), itching lumps or hives
  • swelling of the eyelids, face or lips
  • wheezing, chest pain or lightness,
  • flushing of the face, faintness or heart palpitations,
  • hallucinations

    • Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects, even if it is not on this list. Some people may get other side effects while taking MS Contin.

    Will I become addicted to my MS Contin

    Opioid analgesics such as morphine sulfate have been used to treat chronic cancer pain for many years. In most cases addiction does not occur. However over time your body becomes used to taking morphine, so if you suddenly stop taking your MS Contin tablets you may experience some symptoms of withdrawal.

    It is important that you discuss this issue with your doctor.

    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 will not keep well.

    Keep MS Contin tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.

    Do not store MS Contin tablets or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

    Keep MS Contin tablets where young children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

    Do not leave MS Contin in the car on hot days.

  • Disposal

    Return any unused medicine to your pharmacist.

    Product Description

    What MS Contin looks like

    MS Contin tablets come in seven strengths:

    MS Contin 5 mg are white marked 5 mg on one side.

    MS Contin 10 mg are light tan marked 10 mg on one side.

    MS Contin 15 mg are light green marked 15 mg on one side and NAPP on the other side.

    MS Contin 30 mg are purple marked 30 mg on one side.

    MS Contin 60 mg are orange marked 60 mg on one side.

    MS Contin 100 mg are grey marked 100 mg on one side.

    MS Contin 200 mg are teal green marked 200 mg on one side.

    MS Contin tablets come in boxes containing 20 and 60 tablets.

  • Ingredients

    Lactose (except 100 mg and 200 mg), hydroxyethyl cellulose, cetostearyl alcohol, magnesium stearate and talc.

    All MS Contin tablets are coated with hypromellose, macrogol 400 and E171 (titanium dioxide).

    In addition, the tablets also contain the colourants listed below:

    10 mg tablet: E172 (iron oxide)

    15 mg tablet: E172 (iron oxide yellow), E104 (quinoline yellow), E132 (indigo carmine) and E133 (brilliant blue FCF)

    30 mg tablet: E127 (erythrosin), 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) and E132 (indigotine)

    200 mg tablet: E104 (quinoline yellow) and E133 (brilliant blue FCF)

    Supplier

    MS Contin tablets are supplied by:

  • Mundipharma Pty Limited
  • ACN 081 322 509
  • Level 26, 6 O`Connell Street
  • SYDNEY NSW 2000
  • This leaflet was updated in April 2002.
  • Australian Registration Number:
  • MS Contin tablets 5 mg
  • AUST R 51760
  • MS Contin tablets 10 mg
  • AUST R 14461
  • MS Contin tablets 15 mg
  • AUST R 78208
  • MS Contin tablets 30 mg
  • AUST R 43086
  • MS Contin tablets 60 mg
  • AUST R 43087
  • MS Contin tablets 100 mg
  • AUST R 43088
  • MS Contin tablets 200 mg
  • AUST R 78209
    •

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    1800 200 736