What is butorphanol? What is butorphanol used for?
Butorphanol is a synthetic opioid narcotic pain reliever. It prevents pain in a similar way as morphine (MS Contin), hydrocodone (Zohydro), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and other opioids. Like other opioids, it stimulates receptors in 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). The FDA approved butorphanol in August 1978.
What brand names are available for butorphanol?
Stadol
Is butorphanol available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for butorphanol?
Yes
What are the side effects of butorphanol?
The most frequent adverse reactions include drowsiness,
dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and nasal congestion and insomnia with the nasal
preparation. Patients may also experience palpitations, flushing, anxiety,
confusion, euphoria, headache, nervousness, tingling sensation in limbs,
cold/clammy skin, sweating, itchiness, anorexia, constipation, stomach pain,
dry
mouth, tremor, weakness, blurred vision,
ringing in ears, and difficulty
breathing. Butorphanol is habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can
occur when used long-term.
QUESTION
Medically speaking, the term “myalgia” refers to what type of pain?
See Answer
What is the dosage for butorphanol?
The initial dose for adults is based on the setting in which it is
used, as well as whether it is delivered intramuscularly, intravenously, or
through nasal spray. Most initial intravenous doses for pain range between 0.5
to 2 mg, which may be repeated every 3 to 4 hours as needed.
Which drugs or supplements interact with butorphanol?
Combining butorphanol with other agents that cause depression of the central nervous system may lead to increased sedation and confusion.
Alvimopan (Entereg) should not be combined with butorphanol because it increases levels of butorphanol.
Butorphanol should not be taken with any of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), and procarbazine (Matulane) or other drugs that inhibit monoamine oxidase, for example, linezolid (Zyvox). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Butorphanol should not be administered within 14 days of stopping an MAOI.
Is butorphanol safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Butorphanol is excreted in
breast milk. The amount that the
infant may receive is very low and insignificant.
What else should I know about butorphanol?
What preparations of butorphanol are available?
Solution with or without preservatives:
1 or 2 mg/mL in 1, 2, 10 mL; Nasal solution: 10 mg/ mL in 2.5 mL bottle.
How should I keep butorphanol stored?
Butorphanol solution should be stored at room temperature, between
15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F) and protected from light. Nasal spray should be
stored at room temperature between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).