NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.
MS CONTIN® SUSPENSION
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
WARNING: Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the full CMI. Read before using this medicine.
Why am I using MS CONTIN suspension?
MS CONTIN suspension contains the active ingredient morphine sulfate pentahydrate. MS CONTIN suspension is used for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, long-term opioid treatment and for which other forms of treatment have failed or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient management of pain.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using MS CONTIN suspension? in the full CMI.
What should I know before I use MS CONTIN suspension?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to morphine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use MS CONTIN suspension? in the full CMI.
What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with MS CONTIN suspension and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
How do I use MS CONTIN suspension?
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take.
Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or your pharmacist.
You must only take MS CONTIN suspension by mouth.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use MS CONTIN suspension? in the full CMI.
What should I know while using MS CONTIN suspension?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor or dentist you visit that you are using MS CONTIN suspension.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines that you use to help you relax, anything that contains alcohol (like cough syrup) or other medicines that treat pain.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not take more than your doctor tells you to.
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Driving or using machines
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MS CONTIN suspension may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery.
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Drinking alcohol
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Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may make you feel more sleepy and could increase the risk of serious side effects, such as shallow breathing with the risk of stopping breathing and loss of consciousness.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store below 25°C.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using MS CONTIN suspension? in the full CMI.
Are there any side effects?
MS CONTIN suspension may cause constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and be habit forming if taken frequently or over long periods.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
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WARNING:
Limitations of use
MS CONTIN suspension should only be used when your doctor decides that other treatment options are not able to effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.
Hazardous and harmful use
MS CONTIN suspension poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.
Life threatening respiratory depression
MS CONTIN suspension can cause life-threatening or fatal breathing problems (slow, shallow, unusual or no breathing) even when used as recommended. These problems can occur at any time during use, but the risk is higher when first starting MS CONTIN suspension and after a dose increase, if you are older, or have an existing problem with your lungs. Your doctor will monitor you and change the dose as appropriate.
Use of other medicines while using MS CONTIN suspension
Using MS CONTIN suspension with other medicines that can make you feel drowsy such as sleeping tablets (e.g.benzodiazepines), other pain relievers, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics,gabapentinoids (e.g. gabapentin and pregabalin), cannabis and alcohol may result insevere drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death. Your doctor will minimise the dose and duration of use; and monitor you for signs and symptoms of breathing difficulties and sedation. You must not drink alcohol while using MS CONTIN suspension.
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Active ingredient: morphine sulfate pentahydrate
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using MS CONTIN suspension. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further informationor if you have any concerns or questions about using MS CONTIN suspension.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using MS CONTIN suspension?
2. What should I know before I use MS CONTIN suspension?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use MS CONTIN suspension?
5. What should I know while using MS CONTIN suspension?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
Why am I using MS CONTIN suspension?
MS CONTIN suspension contains the active ingredient morphine sulfate pentahydrate. Morphine belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.
MS CONTIN suspension is indicated for the management of severe pain where:
other treatment options have failed, are contraindicated, not tolerated or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient management of pain, and
the pain is opioid-responsive, and
requires daily, continuous, long-term treatment.
What should I know before I use MS CONTIN suspension?
Warnings
Do not use MS CONTIN suspension if:
you are allergic to morphine, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have acute breathing difficulties such as bronchitis or asthma
you have severe abdominal pain with bloating, cramps or vomiting
you have a condition where your small bowel does not work properly
you take medicine for depression called a ‘monoamine oxidase inhibitor’ or have taken any in the last two weeks
you are pregnant or in labour.
Check with your doctor if you:
are severely drowsy, have a reduced level of consciousness or are feeling faint or dizzy upon standing
have heart problems or heart disease
have low blood pressure
have chronic lung disease
suffer from sleep apnoea (temporarily stop breathing while you sleep)
have just drunk a large amount of alcohol, regularly drink large amounts of alcohol or have confusion and shaking due to stopping drinking alcohol
suffer from convulsions, fits or seizures
have a head injury, brain tumour or increased pressure in your head
are about to have surgery, had recent gastrointestinal surgery or have had other surgery in the last 24 hours
have chronic liver or kidney disease
have increased prostate size or difficulty passing urine
have problems with your gall bladder
have problems with or recent surgery of your bile duct
have inflammation of the pancreas
have adrenal glands which are not working properly
have an underactive thyroid gland
have a severe mental condition involving losing contact with reality or an inability to think clearly
have an addiction or history of abuse of alcohol, opioids or other drugs.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
MS CONTIN suspension given to the mother during labour can cause breathing problems and signs of withdrawal in the newborn.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Low levels of opioid analgesics have been detected in human milk.
Addiction
You can become addicted to MS CONTIN suspension even if you take it exactly as prescribed. MS CONTIN suspension may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence. If abused, it may become less able to reduce pain.
Dependence
As with all other opioid containing products, your body may become used to you taking MS CONTIN suspension. Taking it may result in physical dependence. Physical dependence means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking MS CONTIN suspension suddenly, so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
Tolerance
Tolerance to MS CONTIN suspension may develop, which means that the effect of the medicine may decrease. If this happens, more may be needed to maintain the same effect.
Withdrawal
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. If you stop having this medicine suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience some or all of the following withdrawal symptoms:
nervousness, restlessness, agitation, trouble sleeping or anxiety
body aches, weakness or stomach cramps
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
increased heart rate, breathing rate or pupil size
watery eyes, runny nose, chills or yawning
increased sweating.
What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with MS CONTIN suspension and affect how it works.
Using MS CONTIN suspension with medicines that can make you feel drowsy may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death. These medicines include:
sleeping tablets and other sedatives (including benzodiazepines and barbiturates)
gabapentinoids
cannabis
antihistamines
anxiolytics
general anaesthetics
antiemetics
antidepressants (including tricyclic antidepressants)
antipsychotics (including phenothiazines)
neuroleptics
beta-blockers (medicines used to treat high blood pressure)
other opioids
alcohol.
MS CONTIN suspension may enhance the action of neuromuscular blocking agents (medicines used to relax muscles) and affect your breathing.
MS CONTIN suspension may increase the anticoagulant activity of coumarin and other anticoagulants (medicines used to prevent blood clots).
MS CONTIN suspension should not be used if you are taking non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitaminsor supplements you are taking and if these affect MS CONTIN suspension.
How do I use MS CONTIN suspension?
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how much to take.
Follow the instructions provided and use MS CONTIN suspension until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take MS CONTIN suspension
Take MS CONTIN suspension every 12 hours or as directed by your doctor.
Take MS CONTIN suspension at about the same time each day.
How to take MS CONTIN suspension
Cut or tear the top off the sachet.
Empty the contents into the measuring cup of water.
Stir with a spoon for 10 seconds. The suspension contains tiny granules that will not dissolve.
For one sachet of 20 mg, 30 mg or 60 mg, use 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons) of water.
For one sachet of 100 mg, use 20 mL (about 4 teaspoons) of water.
For one sachet of 200 mg, use 30 mL (about 6 teaspoons) of water.
Swallow all the suspension at once and be careful not to chew or crush the granules.
MS CONTIN suspension is only designed to work properly if the suspension is swallowed at once, without chewing or crushing the granules. The granules 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 any suspension remains in the cup, rinse with a little more water and swallow.
Take MS CONTIN suspension with food if possible.
If you begin to experience pain, tell your doctor as your dosage may have to be reviewed.
If you forget to use MS CONTIN suspension
You should take MS CONTIN suspension at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time, you may take MS CONTIN suspension as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your nextdose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects including severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
If you use too much MS CONTIN suspension (overdose)
If you or someone else receive too much (overdose), and experience one or more of the symptoms below, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them every now and then. You should follow the above steps even if someone other than you have accidentally used MS CONTIN suspension that was prescribed for you. If someone takes an overdose, they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
slow, unusual or difficult breathing
drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness
slow or weak heartbeat
nausea or vomiting
convulsions or fits.
If you think you or someone else may have used too much MS CONTIN suspension you should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and remaining medicine with you to show the doctor. Also tell them about any other medicines or alcohol which have been taken.
What should I know while using MS CONTIN suspension?
Things you should do
Call your doctor straight away if you:
become pregnant
feel your pain is getting worse.
Remind any doctor or dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using MS CONTIN suspension.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. If you stop taking MS CONTIN suspension suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Do not take MS CONTIN suspension to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how MS CONTINsuspension affects you.
MS CONTIN suspension may cause drowsiness or impair mental and/or physical ability in some people.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Alcohol may make you feel more sleepy, and could increase the risk of serious side effects, such as shallow breathing with the risk of stopping breathing and loss of consciousness.
Looking after your medicine
Store below 25°C.
Follow the instructions on the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If the medicine is damaged, you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Gastrointestinal and urinary related:
constipation
nausea or vomiting
difficulty urinating
Neurological and behavior related:
dizziness
drowsiness
headache
Allergy related:
sweating
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worryyou.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Breathing related:
difficulty breathing or shallow breathing
Neurological and behavior related:
light-headedness, fainting or dizziness especially when standing up
changes in mood
drowsiness or feeling extremely sedated
feeling disorientated and having nightmares
Heart related:
slow or noticeable heartbeats
Gastrointestinal and urinary related:
severe stomach pain with nausea or vomiting
difficulty urinating
Allergy related:
shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at yournearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making youfeel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stoptaking any of your medicines.
Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What MS CONTIN suspension contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Morphine sulfate pentahydrate
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Xanthan gum
Polystyrene sulfonate hydrogen
Xylitol
Raspberry flavour 52354A
Brilliant scarlet 4R (CI16255/E124)
Purified water
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What MS CONTIN suspension looks like
MS CONTIN suspension is available in sachets containing modified release pink-coloured granules for oral suspension.
Five strengths are available:
MS CONTIN suspension 20 mg (Aust R 45838)
MS CONTIN suspension 30 mg (Aust R 45841)
MS CONTIN suspension 60 mg (Aust R 65397)
MS CONTIN suspension 100 mg (Aust R 65398)
MS CONTIN suspension 200 mg (Aust R 65399)
Who distributes MS CONTIN suspension
Mundipharma Pty Limited
ABN 87 081 322 509
88 Phillip Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
ABN 87 081 322 509
88 Phillip Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 188 009
This leaflet was prepared in July 2020.
® MS CONTIN is a trade mark of MUNDIPHARMA.
Orbis RA-0280-010
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