What is MS Contin 15mg? MS Contin (morphine) is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Extended-release MS Contin tablets are used when around-the-clock pain relief is needed. This form of morphine is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain. MS Contin 15mg may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Important information You should not take MS Contin 15mg if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. Morphine can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take MS Contin 15mg in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose. SLIDESHOW Top 11 Truths About Narcotic Painkiller Meds MS Contin 15mg may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share MS Contin with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Morphine may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with MS Contin. Before using MS Contin 15mg You should not take MS Contin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to morphine or other narcotic medicines, or if you have: severe asthma or breathing problems; a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. Do not use MS Contin if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others. You may not be able to take MS Contin 15mg if you are NOT already being treated with a similar opioid (narcotic) pain medicine and are tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. Morphine may be habit-forming. Never share morphine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away MS Contin to any other person is against the law. Some medicines can interact with morphine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. To make sure MS Contin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: any type of breathing problem or lung disease; a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures; a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness; urination problems; liver or kidney disease; or problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid. It is not known whether MS Contin will harm an unborn baby. If you use morphine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Morphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I use MS Contin? Morphine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take MS Contin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Morphine can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take MS Contin in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Always check your bottle to make sure you have received the correct pills (same brand and type) of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy. Stop taking all other around-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking MS Contin. Do not crush, chew, or break a MS Contin extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not stop using MS Contin suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using MS Contin. Never crush or break a MS Contin tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death. Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.