Pentazocine Hydrochloride and Diarrhea/hyperhidrosis

• Generic Name: pentazocine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Talwin

Relief of moderate to severe pain such as that associated with acute and chronic medical disorders including cancer, orthopedic problems, renal or biliary colic, and dental surgery.

Has been used parenterally for preoperative sedation and analgesia and as an adjunct to surgical anesthesia; however, parenteral dosage form is no longer commercially available in US.

Also has been used parenterally for obstetric analgesia during labor.

Oral dosage form reformulated to contain small amount of naloxone hydrochloride (opiate antagonist) to potentially eliminate misuse via parenteral injection by opiate addicts and drug abusers. Naloxone is inactive when administered orally in the amount (0.5 mg) present in the oral formulation and does not affect the efficacy of pentazocine when administered orally.

In symptomatic treatment of acute pain, reserve opiate analgesics for pain resulting from severe injuries, severe medical conditions, or surgical procedures, or when nonopiate alternatives for relieving pain and restoring function are expected to be ineffective or are contraindicated. Use smallest effective dosage for shortest possible duration since long-term opiate use often begins with treatment of acute pain. Optimize concomitant use of other appropriate therapies. (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Acute Pain under Dosage and Administration.)

Generally use opiates for management of chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting >3 months or past the time of normal tissue healing ) that is not associated with active cancer treatment, palliative care, or end-of-life care only if other appropriate nonpharmacologic and nonopiate pharmacologic strategies have been ineffective and expected benefits for both pain relief and functional improvement are anticipated to outweigh risks.

If used for chronic pain, opiate analgesics should be part of an integrated approach that also includes appropriate nonpharmacologic modalities (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, functional restoration, exercise therapy, certain interventional procedures) and other appropriate pharmacologic therapies (e.g., nonopiate analgesics, analgesic adjuncts such as selected anticonvulsants and antidepressants for certain neuropathic pain conditions).

Available evidence insufficient to determine whether long-term opiate therapy for chronic pain results in sustained pain relief or improvements in function and quality of life or is superior to other pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatments. Use is associated with serious risks (e.g., opiate use disorder, overdose). (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain under Dosage and Administration.)