Pentazocine

Pronunciation: pen-TAZ-oh-seen
Generic Name: Pentazocine
Brand Name: Talwin

Pentazocine is used for:

Treating moderate to severe pain, including before surgery or anesthesia. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pentazocine is an opioid (narcotic) analgesic. It works in the brain and nervous system to decrease pain.

Do NOT use Pentazocine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Pentazocine or to any other codeine- or morphine-related medicine (eg, codeine, oxycodone)
• you have severe diarrhea due to antibiotic use (pseudomembranous colitis) or you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pentazocine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Pentazocine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, severe stomach or intestinal condition (eg, ulcers), lung problems (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cor pulmonale), liver or kidney problems, a blockage of your bladder or bowel, trouble urinating, an enlarged prostate, the blood disease porphyria, or seizures, or if you are having stomach or intestinal surgery
• if you have a history of high blood pressure, low thyroid function, heart problems (eg, heart attack, irregular heartbeat), recent head injury, brain disease, increased pressure in the brain, or brain growths or tumors
• if you have a history of mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or a history of drug abuse

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pentazocine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Naltrexone because the effectiveness of Pentazocine may be decreased
• Cimetidine or sodium oxybate (GHB) because side effects, such as severe drowsiness and difficulty breathing, may occur
• Sibutramine because its side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pentazocine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Pentazocine:

Use Pentazocine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Pentazocine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Pentazocine at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Pentazocine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Pentazocine may be administered by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous route. However, when frequent injections are needed, Pentazocine should be administered intramuscularly. In addition, constant rotation of injection sites (eg, upper outer quadrants of the buttocks, mid-lateral aspects of the thighs, upper arm/shoulder area) is required.
• Do not mix Pentazocine in the same syringe with soluble barbiturates because a precipitate (white, cloudy solid) will occur.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Pentazocine and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pentazocine.

Important safety information:

• Pentazocine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Pentazocine. Using Pentazocine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Pentazocine. Pentazocine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Some of these products contain sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals (eg, asthma patients). If you have previously had allergic reactions to sulfites, contact your pharmacist to determine if the product you are taking contains sulfites.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Pentazocine.
• LAB TESTS may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Pentazocine with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially sedation and confusion.
• Use Pentazocine with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 year of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Pentazocine can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Pentazocine, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Pentazocine during pregnancy. It is unknown if Pentazocine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Pentazocine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Pentazocine. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.

If you suddenly stop taking Pentazocine, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including anxiety; diarrhea; fever, runny nose, or sneezing; goose bumps and abnormal skin sensations; hallucinations; nausea; vomiting; pain; rigid muscles; rapid heartbeat; shivering or tremors; sweating; and trouble sleeping.

Possible side effects of Pentazocine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; exaggerated sense of well-being; lightheadedness; nausea; redness, swelling, or irritation at injection site; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision problems; confusion; fainting; hallucinations; seizures; trouble sleeping; trouble urinating; unusual weakness;

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.