What is pentazocine?
Pentazocine is narcotic pain medication
Pentazocine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also used as part of anesthesia for surgery.
Pentazocine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about pentazocine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pentazocine.
Before using pentazocine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of head injury or brain tumor, heart disease, high blood pressure, recent heart attack, asthma or other breathing disorders, mental illness, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Pentazocine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Pentazocine should never be shared with 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.
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never use pentazocine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Do not stop using pentazocine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, runny nose, watery eyes, anxiety, or restless feeling. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Avoid drinking alcohol while using pentazocine. Alcohol may increase some of the side effects of pentazocine.
Pentazocine 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.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using pentazocine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pentazocine.
Pentazocine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Pentazocine should never be shared with 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.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using pentazocine, tell your doctor if you have
liver or kidney disease;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
heart disease, high blood pressure, recent heart attack;
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
a dependence on narcotic pain medications;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Pentazocine may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother uses pentazocine during pregnancy. Before you use this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Pentazocine is sometimes used during early labor, but using it just before childbirth can cause breathing problems in a newborn.
Pentazocine may pass into breast milk and could 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 medication.