What is levorphanol?
Levorphanol is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is similar to morphine.
Levorphanol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Levorphanol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about levorphanol?
Levorphanol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Levorphanol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking levorphanol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
Never take more levorphanol than is prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Levorphanol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not stop using levorphanol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levorphanol?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take levorphanol if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
Levorphanol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Levorphanol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Before using levorphanol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;
curvature of the spine;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
low blood pressure;
gallbladder disease;
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Levorphanol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.