Nalbuphine
Description
Nalbuphine is an opioid pain medicine used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is also used with other medications to relieve pain before, during, or after surgery and other medical procedures.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nalbuphine
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Pale and clammy skin
- Stomach discomfort and pain
Uses of Nalbuphine
What is it prescribed for?
- Moderate to severe pain
- Anesthesia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 3 minutes on intravenous administration and within15 minutes on an intramuscular administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 6 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?This medicine may be habit-forming.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Respiratory depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression (slow or declined ability to breathe), in the absence of resuscitative equipment, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Nalbuphine or any other components present along with it.
Acute or severe bronchial asthma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma, in the absence of resuscitative equipment, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Paralytic ileus
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Intracranial pressure
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with head injury or intracranial lesions since it may elevate the intracranial pressure and worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Drug dependence
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal of therapy should be done gradually with close monitoring of the patient.
Biliary spasm
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with biliary or gallbladder diseases due to the increased risk of biliary spasm and worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Infectious diarrhea
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with infectious diarrhea due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Driving or operating machinery
This medicine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or drowsiness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience these symptoms while receiving this medicine.
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypotension (low blood pressure) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Ramelteon
Linezolid
Aripiprazole
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver function impairment or active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Kidney dysfunction
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Acute myocardial infarction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with acute myocardial infarction due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hypothyroidism
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypothyroidism due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Addison's Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of Addison's disease due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Inflammatory bowel disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Inflammatory bowel disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 26 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 26 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 26 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 26 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.