Pentazocine
Description
Pentazocine is a potent analgesic medicine used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain for which alternative treatments are inadequate. This medicine is also used as a pre-anesthetic or preoperative medication and as a supplement to surgical anesthesia. This medicine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of addiction.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pentazocine
- Hypersensitivity
- Drowsiness
- Change in mood
- Headache
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Allergic skin reaction
- Respiratory depression
- Trouble sleeping
- Blurred vision
Uses of Pentazocine
What is it prescribed for?
- Anesthesia
- Moderate to severe pain
- Labor pain
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 15 to 30 minutes of an oral, subcutaneous, or intramuscular dose and within 2 to 3 minutes of an intravenous dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Alcohol should not be consumed while receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of drowsiness, lightheadedness, impairment in thinking and judgment, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?Habit forming tendency has been reported, especially after prolonged use. Patients should be monitored closely for any signs of abuse or addiction. Proper assessment of the patient, periodic reevaluation, and proper dispensing is recommended to limit the abuse of this medicine.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Hypersensitivity
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to pentazocine or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 1 year of age.
Respiratory depression
This medicine may cause life-threatening respiratory depression. Close monitoring of respiratory function is recommended while using this medicine. Equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the injection form of this medicine is used.
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
This medicine may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in neonates born to women who were under prolonged therapy with Pentazocine. Such neonates should be monitored closely for any unusual side effects. Appropriate corrective measures may be required based on the clinical condition.
Adrenal insufficiency
This medicine may cause adrenal insufficiency like other opioid medicines, hence caution is advised while using this medicine for more than one month. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate corrective measures, gradual withdrawal of therapy, and replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Severe hypotension
Pentazocine may cause severe hypotension while getting up from a lying or a sitting position. Patients are advised to get up slowly from a sitting or a lying position to avoid sudden hypotension, fainting, dizziness, etc. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of blood pressure, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Withdrawal symptoms
Abrupt discontinuation of Pentazocine therapy may cause withdrawal symptoms, especially after a prolonged use. Gradual tapering of dosage is recommended to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Sports
Use of this medicine is prohibited at all times according to category S7 of World Anti-Dopping Agency (WADA).
Drowsiness
This medicine causes drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Tablets: This medicine is usually taken as required. If you are on a scheduled dosing of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose.
Overdose
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Tablets: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately if an overdose with this medicine is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Alcohol should not be consumed while receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of drowsiness, lightheadedness, impairment in thinking and judgment, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Baclofen
Citalopram
Ondansetron
Tramadol
Alprazolam
Fentanyl
Alvimopan
Disease interactions
Impaired gastrointestinal function
Therapy with Pentazocine should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired gastrointestinal function due to the increased risk of constipation, elevated intraluminal pressure, and spasm. Patients should be monitored closely for any adverse effects. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Infectious Diarrhea
Therapy with opioids should be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with infectious diarrhea, particularly that due to pseudomembranous enterocolitis or enterotoxin-producing bacteria or if accompanied by high fever, pus, or blood in the stool. Pentazocine may prolong and/or worsen diarrhea.
Liver disease
Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Subsequent doses should be titrated based on individual response rather than a fixed dosing schedule.
Renal Dysfunction
Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with renal dysfunction due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Subsequent doses should be titrated based on individual response rather than a fixed dosing schedule.
Acute myocardial infarction
Opioid analgesics should be administered cautiously and only if the benefit of using this medicine outweighs the risks in patients with coronary insufficiency or acute myocardial infarction.
Intracranial pressure
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with a head injury, intracranial lesions, or pre-existing elevated CSF pressure due to the increased risk of cerebral hypoxia and vasodilation leading to increased intracranial pressure.
Respiratory Depression
Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS or respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended for such patients. Equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if required.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Injection: Pentazocine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects.
Tablets: Take Pentazocine as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger quantities than advised/prescribed. Do not share this medicine with others. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Pentazocine blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics, Mixed opioid receptor agonists-antagonists
Schedule
Schedule H
Pentazocine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Talwin- pentazocine lactate injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Pentazocine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Toxnet [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Pentazocine (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.