Pentazocine Injection

What is this medication?

PENTAZOCINE (pen TAZ oh seen) treats severe pain. It is prescribed when other pain medications have not worked or cannot be tolerated. It may also be used to cause drowsiness before a procedure. It works by blocking pain signals in the brain. It belongs to a group of medications called opioids.

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

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Talwin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

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

• Breathing problems
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Head injury
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Seizures
• Substance use disorder
• An unusual or allergic reaction to pentazocine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for injection into a muscle or a vein. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic.

If you get this medication at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medication. Use exactly as directed. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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 medication?

• Alcohol
• Atropine
• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam
• Certain antihistamines
• Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline or trazodone
• Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital or primidone
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
• Certain medications for Parkinson disease, such as benztropine or trihexyphenidyl
• General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Ipratropium
• Local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, pramoxine, or tetracaine
• MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
• Medications that help you fall asleep
• Medications that relax muscles
• Other opioids for pain or cough
• Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, or thioridazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team 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 medication. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medication for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medication for a long time.

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

If you are also taking a opioid medication for pain or cough or another medication that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your care team a list of all medications you use. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. Do not take more medication than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

This medication will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
• Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets. This medication can be abused. Keep your medication in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medication with anyone. Selling or giving away this medication is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light.

If you are using this medication at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medication. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date on the label. Discard unused medication and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.