Butorphanol (Injection Route)

Butorphanol injection is used to relieve pain. It may also be given before a surgery, when giving birth, or with general anesthesia before an operation.

Butorphanol injection belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.

When butorphanol injection is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of butorphanol injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse, or history of or
• Breathing problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cor pulmonale, hypoxia) or
• CNS diseases or
• Drug dependence, especially narcotic abuse or dependence, history of—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.

• Brain tumor or
• Head injuries or
• Increased pressure in the head—Some of the side effects of butorphanol injection can cause serious problems in people who have these medical problems.

• Heart attack or
• Heart or blood vessel problems or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.