Morphine at gramme doses: kinetics, dynamics and clinical need

The MS Contin tablet 200 mg (controlled release morphine sulphate) provides an equivalent rate and extent of absorption to two MS Contin tablets 100 mg. The characteristics of controlled release from this higher strength formulation are also consistent with those of the 100 mg tablet. The level of analgesia provided during the early post-dosing period, at the end of the dosing period and overall over the twelve hour interval were also equivalent between the preparations. The addition of the MS Contin tablet 200 mg to the existing range will facilitate oral dosing in patients requiring large doses of morphine. This extension to the range will increase the choice available to the clinician and provide a natural progression for those patients requiring a step-up in the dose titration procedure.