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Suggest Ways To Safely Wean Off MS Contin

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Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Question: I have taken MS Contin 30 for 6 months for severe back problems, stenosis, arachnoiditis, spinal fusion L4,L5'and Si. Also a radio frequency facet rhzitomony. I have recently. Moved from FL to IA
I do not have a doctor yet and would like to know how to taper and d/c this medication safely
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Best done under guidance of a doctor who can monitor

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

MS Contin (morphine) is an opioid pain medication and needs to be tapered off. Going through the following guidelines should help:
http://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/Pain/cot/OpioidTaperingFactSheet23May2013v1.pdf
https://www.nhms.org/sites/default/files/Pdfs/Safely_Tapering_Opioids.pdf

The initial strategy for tapering would be to increase the duration between doses from say 12 hours to 14, 16, 18, 20 hours and then 24 apart. Another alternative would be to try reducing the dose by 20% daily. However, this is best done under the guidance and follow up of a doctor.

In case you feel that you are getting withdrawal symptoms during the tapering, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor without delay.

Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Safely Wean Off MS Contin

Brief Answer: Best done under guidance of a doctor who can monitor Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. MS Contin (morphine) is an opioid pain medication and needs to be tapered off. Going through the following guidelines should help: http://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/Pain/cot/OpioidTaperingFactSheet23May2013v1.pdf https://www.nhms.org/sites/default/files/Pdfs/Safely_Tapering_Opioids.pdf The initial strategy for tapering would be to increase the duration between doses from say 12 hours to 14, 16, 18, 20 hours and then 24 apart. Another alternative would be to try reducing the dose by 20% daily. However, this is best done under the guidance and follow up of a doctor. In case you feel that you are getting withdrawal symptoms during the tapering, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor without delay. Regards