Can switching from Kadian to MS Contin kill me?

Hey demi-girl,

The active ingredient in the Kadian and the MS Contin is the same, morphine sulfate. The only thing I can think of is you are having a reaction to something in the inactive ingredients of the MS Contin. The inactive ingredients in MS Contin include: cetostearyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, talc and titanium dioxide. The Kadian contains the following inactive ingredients: hypromellose, ethylcellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, talc, corn starch, and sucrose. Upon comparing the two, the only major difference with the MS contin is the magnesium stearate. You may have an allergy to this substance.

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I would definitely discuss these symptoms with the prescribing doctor. I don't think you are going to die, but your symptoms are not to be ignored. Please consult the prescibing doctor and have him contact the insurance company so you can get back on the Kadian. All the doc has to do is let the insurance company know of your adverse reaction.

Good luck!!

Laurie

This is a true story. I was once a a medication and they switched it to a generic. The Pill was originally white and the generic was purple. I had some very similar symptoms, I mean just like you. I did a test in a lab, yes I have access to a lab, and found that I was allergic to the FD&C blue dye in this pill. Or more precise a particular coloring in the pill. Later on I found this same coloring in IVP dye for kidney stone detection( they inject then x-ray) and prylosec ( the purple pill). I am not saying this is at all your problem but... it is worth looking into. Many people I know have had adverse reactions to generic pills and it is because of the physical and chemical make up. It is an allergic reaction. When they take what they took before or a pill that does not contain that dye, the syptoms go away. Please this may be way off from what is happening to you, but it is something you might want to ask when you speak to DR. Most Dr. do not know this.

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Is the pill a different color then pills you have taken in the past? Or it can be another property of the pill that you might be allergic to. Sounds far fetched but worth asking.
I wish you my very best.
Coby

I agree that you are having an allergic reaction to something in the new med. I have an allergy to glycols, which are found in the inactive ingredients of some meds, and I can die from taking it. Some pills are even sprayed with Opadry clear - and that has glycols in it. So it is very possible for you to be allergic to one of many variables. All my dr has to do is have his office staff call my prescription company and tell them I have an allergic reaction and I get the brand name, etc, whatever is needed. So tomorrow you could have your old medicine back. And you need to do it tomorrow!! Allergic reactions can increase the more you are exposed to the allergen. Which means first thing tomorrow morning, or sooner if your symptoms get worse, you need to contact or go to your doctor, tell him your symptoms and have his staff get to work getting you the Kadian. You may not

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make it until Monday - I am serious. If you start to have any wheezing or coughing or break out in hives call 911 and get to the ER. Make sure someone who is with you knows what is going on, or write a note explaining this new medicine and what your reactions are and pin it to your body if you have to be alone while still on the MS contin. You can't stop taking it - you'll go through withdrawal after ?12 hours or so. I know about these reactions all too well from stopping breathing myself. I was on a medication with glycols in it and i had a rash all over my face and was having horrendous migraines all the time. The ER staff, my primary care Dr and my dermatogist never connected it to an allergy. Allergies can and do kill - your body is telling you big time that this medication is dangerous for you - listen to it. It's toxic to your body. Drinks lots of water, take Vit C, a good multivitamin - flush your body out and you should be feeling better soon. Take care -

I agree with everyone's responses on here and I do strongly advise that you speak with your doctor, and if he can't see you then go to his office and just sit there and wait until you annoy them enough that they see you! Insurance companies will pay for the brand name medications if your doctor writes for Kadian and marks the box on the script that "Brand Name Medically Necessary". It will take a lot of work and paperwork to get the brand name of Kadian but it will be worth it in the long run. There are other medications that can help your pain, and until you know what it is that you are reacting to it will be hard to make a good sound judgement on what it is that you can take. You can develop an allergy to a medication after taking it for a long time. I know this because I did... and it almost killed me. You have to be aggressive with this doctor and show him the physical reactions that you are having.

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Unforturnately, sometimes you have to get angry and respectfully tell them that you know your body and you know that something doesn't feel right!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you the best of luck and as many pain-less/free days as possible.