Pentazocine

Pentazocine was not found to be teratogenic in animal studies. Pentazocine and naloxone have been shown to cross the human placenta. Use should be avoided during labor and delivery of premature infants. Abstinence syndromes in the newborn have been reported after long-term use of pentazocine during pregnancy. Other adverse effects in the newborn have been reported following abuse of pentazocine during pregnancy; these effects may be due to pentazocine, other drugs abused, the mother's lifestyle, or a combination of all factors.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about naloxone and pentazocine (oral)?

Do not inject this medication. Naloxone and pentazocine is intended for oral use only. A severe reaction??”possibly death??”may occur if this medication is injected alone or in combination with any other substance.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Naloxone and pentazocine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking, avoid these activities.

Avoid alcohol while taking naloxone and pentazocine. Alcohol may dangerously increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by naloxone and pentazocine.

Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation, dizziness, or impaired thinking.

Naloxone and pentazocine can cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

Never take more naloxone and pentazocine than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

The following substances may affect how pentazocine works or increase the risk of side effects: alcohol; anaesthetics; barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, moclobemide) taken within the past 14 days; other narcotic analgesics (e.g., codeine, morphine); phenothiazines (e.g., perphenazine, thioridazine); naloxone; sedatives and tranquilizers; tobacco (smoking); tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine)

Pentazocine may affect how the following medications work: diamorphine; heroin; morphine and morphine-type pain relievers

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medication is sometimes used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store at room temperature, protect from heat and from freezing.