Pentazocine

Product Information:

Pentazocine is a pain relief drug, also known as a narcotic. Pentazocine drug is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain among adults and children aged 12 years and above. The drug can also be used in anesthesia for surgery. There are other uses for pentazocine that are not listed in this medication guide.

What kind of medication is pentazocine?

Take exactly as directed on the prescription or package label. Pentazocine may cause slowed or stopped breathing. Never take pentazocine in greater amounts or for longer than directed. Inform your physician if this medication appears less effective in relieving pain.

Pentazocine injection is administered either under the skin and/or into a muscle or via an IV into a vein. A healthcare professional will administer this injection to you.

You may learn to administer an IV in your home. Do not use pentazocine by IV unless you know how to properly administer it and dispose of needles, IVs, and other equipment that you plan to throw away.

Pentazocine can also be habit-forming, even when using regular doses. Do NOT share this medication with others, especially with anyone who has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse/dependency particularly in children and/or others for whom it is NOT prescribed. Giving away, selling, and possessing pentazocine is also illegal.

The pentazocine action is always limited to a short period.

Do not abruptly stop the use of pentazocine, or withdrawal symptoms may occur. Consult your doctor about how to properly stop taking this medication.

Use a disposable needle/syringe only one time. Follow local/state guidelines on disposing of used needles/syringes. Use a puncture-proof “sharps” container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how you can dispose of it).

Storage:

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You should keep your medication records. Pentazocine is an abusable medication, and you should know if your medication is being abused.
Do not store unused opioid medications. Even a single dose of the medication can be fatal to a person who ingests it unintentionally. You may ask the pharmacist in your area for the location of the nearest drop box for disposing of medications. If no drop box exists, dispose of the unused medications by flushing them down the toilet.

What to avoid when taking pentazocine:

Do not consume alcohol. This can lead to life-threatening side effects.

Taking pentazocine may slow your thinking or reactions. Do not drive a car or use heavy machinery until you see how the medication will affect you. Dizziness or extreme drowsiness may cause falls or accidents.

Pentazocine Side Effects:

Call your doctor at once if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction: trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; or hives.

Similar to other narcotic analgesics, pentazocine slows your rate of breathing. This can cause death if your rate of breathing is slowed down enough. The person who is caring for you should seek emergency medical help if you have a slowed rate and pause of breathing, blue discoloration of the lips, or if you are difficult to arouse.

Call your doctor immediately if you have the following:

 A severe headache

noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing,

a feeling as if you might faint; severe constipation, pain, burning, irritation, or skin changes at the site of the injection; or low cortisol levels–nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dizziness, exacerbation of fatigue/weakness