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What is nalbuphine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Nalbuphine is a man-made opioid (narcotic)
painkiller. Nalbuphine provides pain relief in a similar way as morphine (MS
Contin), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and other narcotic analgesics. Narcotic
painkillers stimulate the brain to increase the threshold to pain (the amount of
stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception of pain (the
perceived importance of the pain). Nalbuphine is a mixed opioid agonist and
antagonist because it stimulates and blocks pain receptors on nerves. The FDA
approved nalbuphine in May 1979.
What brand names are available for nalbuphine?
Nubain
Is nalbuphine available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for nalbuphine?
Yes
What are the side effects of nalbuphine?
Side effects of Nalbuphine are
Like other narcotics nalbuphine can cause respiratory depression (decreased rate or depth of breathing).
It may produce withdrawal in opioid dependent patients. Nalbuphine is a controlled substance and is habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can occur. Abruptly stopping the drug in patients who have been taking the drug for a long time can precipitate a withdrawal reaction.
Symptoms of withdrawal include
- nausea,
- diarrhea,
- coughing,
- tearing,
- nasal discharge,
- profuse sweating,
- twitching muscles, and
- yawning.
What is the dosage for nalbuphine?
Adults:
- Pain: For a 70 kg patient, inject 10 to 20 mg via subcutaneous, intravenous,
or intramuscular route every 3 to 6 hours as needed. Maximum single dose of 20
mg. Maximum daily dose of 160 mg per day. - Opioid-dependent patients: Administer ¼ of normal dose and observe withdrawal
signs. - Anesthesia supplement: Administer 0.3 to 3 mg/kg intravenously over 10 to 15
minutes, then 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg as needed.
QUESTION
Medically speaking, the term “myalgia” refers to what type of pain?
See Answer
Which drugs or supplements interact with nalbuphine?
Nalbuphine should not be used with alvimopan (Entereg)
because alvimopan increases nalbuphine levels in the body and increases side
effects. Nalbuphine must be discontinued 7 days prior to using alvimopan.
Combining nalbuphine with fentanyl (Duragesic), alfentanil (Alfenta),
buprenorphine (Subutex), and other opioid medications increases sedation and may
cause withdrawal symptoms in narcotic addicts.
Nalbuphine should not be used with MAO inhibitors like phenelzine (Nardil),
selegiline (Zelapar, Emsam, Eldepryl), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) as well as
linezolid (Zyvox) antibiotic because they can increase nalbuphine toxicity,
causing decreased blood pressure, fever, sleepiness, and in severe cases, death.
Nalbuphine administration must be separated by 14 days from
MAOI inhibitors and linezolid (Zyvox).
Is nalbuphine safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Nalbuphine may enter
breast milk in trace amount; therefore,
it should be used with caution in mothers who are nursing.
What else should I know about nalbuphine?
What preparations of nalbuphine are available?
Nalbuphine injections are available in 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml
strengths in 1 ml ampoule or 10 ml multi-use, flip-top vials.
How should I keep nalbuphine stored?
Store Nalbuphine injections at room temperature between 20 C and 25
C (68 F and 77 F).
