Naloxone Hydrochloride, Pentazocine Hydrochl... Health Article

Generic name(s):

Naloxone Hydrochloride, Pentazocine Hydrochloride Oral tablet

Brand name(s):

Naloxone HCl-Pentazocine HCl, Talwin NX

What is this medicine?

PENTAZOCINE (pen TAZ oh seen) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It also contains naloxone, which is used to prevent the misuse of this medicine.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• breathing problems
• drug abuse or addiction
• head injury
• if you frequently drink alcohol containing beverages
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pentazocine, naloxone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• butorphanol
• buprenorphine
• nalbuphine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol or medicines that contain alcohol
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• medicines for depression like duloxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine
• medicines for sleep
• other prescription medicines for pain
• procarbazine
• sibutramine

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medicine for a long time.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.