I've been taking oxycontine 40mg 2x a day for about 6 months for severe pain and they aren't working anymore .So, my doctor wrote a perscription for morphine sulfate er 40mg 2x a day .Is this equal or is there a percentage from one to the other ?? I know there isn't a 40 mg .They either come 15,30,60,100,200 what would the equal be ??
Oxycontin vs morphine sulfate?
Question posted by fedierjimbo on 28 Nov 2011
Last updated on 2 March 2013 by icartb
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4 Answers
I've been on 20, 30 and 40 contin. My issue was the ability to get it. I was just switched to 30 morphine. As far as going through withdrawal I darn near had to every month because my worthless pharmacy always said "It wasn't in our Narcotics shipment this week. SORRY!" Yes, I tried other pharmacies but still had a hard time with the contin.
I JUST was able to get started last night so I'm curious to see how things work given the big difference I'm reading about. :( I do get Percocet 3x a day so we'll see! (I take the morphine 2x a day.)
FYI: I can "feel" it so something is happening. It's either the morphine, the 1/2 percocet (I take 1/2 tab at a time... a habit I've always had) or both. Like some people said you just want to have relief. I teach so it's very challenging to do my job with the arthritis in my knees.
If you are comparing IR (Instant release) tablets of equal milligrams, they work nearly the same for me in terms of pain relief and prevention of withdrawal symptions. The downside of MS is the side effect of worse constipation. The upside of morphine sulfate is a significant cost savings over oxycontin.
Fedier,
Well dear, it certainly isn't 20 mg MSO4 or morphine. You'll be in withdrawal soon. Please call someone who knows something about equi-analgesic doses of opiates, like your favorite pharmacist. Doesn't sound like your doc knows. Coming off of oxycontin is no fun. It is way more potent than morphine.
Please be careful.
Peace,
Hey fedierjimbo,
Oxycontin (oxycodone) is approximatley 1.5 to 2 times stronger than oral morphine. To see a chart which compares opiate medications go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opiate_comparison
Hope this helps,
Laurie
Anyone. I have sle lupus, sjogrens. fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and major stomach problems. Autoammune disease the gift that keeps on giving !!! Iused to take m.s. contin 200 mg aday and loratab 10 for breakthrough. Had alot of stomach probs. and have had to be hospitalized 6 times since june. My Dr. switched me to fent. patches 100 mch and left me on the loratab 10 forbreakthrough pain. anybody out there have a better breakthrough med. I have taken loratabs for so long they don't seem to work when I need them too. I have been taken off all meds for my Lupus and other related illnesses because of stomach complication so EVERYTHING in my body has been acting up w/pain. Any suggestions???
Hey ashgrimes,
The only options I can suggest is a stronger opiate based medication such as Norco or Percocet. The Norco is similar to the Lortab in that it contains hydrocodone with acetominophen but at a stronger dose and the Percocet is even stronger containing oxycodone with acetominophen.
Being honest with the doctor about the pain is your best bet. He/she can make the best decision.
Best wishes,
Laurie
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oxycontin, pain, morphine, doctor
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