Overview
DESCRIPTION Nalbuphine hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic of the phenanthrene series. It is chemically related to both the widely used opioid antagonist, naloxone, and the potent opioid analgesic, oxymorphone. Chemically nalbuphine hydrochloride is 17-(cyclobutylmethyl)-4,5α-epoxymorphinan-3,6α,14-triol hydrochloride. Nalbuphine hydrochloride molecular weight is 393.
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanism of Action Nalbuphine is an agonist at kappa opioid receptors and an antagonist at mµ opioid receptors. Pharmacodynamics Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection is a potent analgesic. Its analgesic potency is essentially equivalent to that of morphine on a milligram basis up to a dosage of approximately 30 mg. The opioid antagonist activity of nalbuphine hydrochloride is one-fourth as potent as nalorphine and 10 times that of pentazocine. Nalbuphine hydrochloride may produce the same degree of respiratory depression as equianalgesic doses of morphine.
Indications
- INDICATIONS AND USAGE Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection can also be used as a supplement to balanced anesthesia, for preoperative and postoperative analgesia, and for obstetrical analgesia during labor and delivery. Limitations of Use: Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, which can occur at any dosage or duration [see WARNINGS ], reserve Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection for use in patients...
Common Doses
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
- 160 mg
- 0.3 mg
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection should be administered as a supplement to general anesthesia only by persons specifically trained in the use of intravenous anesthetics and management of the respiratory effects of potent opioids. Naloxone, resuscitative and intubation equipment, and oxygen should be readily available. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see WARNINGS ].
Black Box Warning
WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF NALBUPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection are essential [see WARNINGS ].
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with: Significant respiratory depression [see WARNINGS ] Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment [see WARNINGS ] Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see WARNINGS ] Hypersensitivity to nalbuphine or to any of the other ingredients in Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection.
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent adverse reaction in 1066 patients treated in clinical studies with Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection was sedation 381 (36%). Less frequent reactions were: sweaty/clammy 99 (9%), nausea/vomiting 68 (6%), dizziness/vertigo 58 (5%), dry mouth 44 (4%), and headache 27 (3%). Other adverse reactions which occurred (reported incidence of 1% or less) were: CNS Effects: Nervousness, depression, restlessness, crying, euphoria, floating, hostility, unusual dreams, confusion, faintness, hallucinations, dysphoria, feeling of heaviness, numbness, tingling, unreality.
Interactions
- Drug Interactions Benzodiazepines and other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Although Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection possesses opioid antagonist activity, there is evidence that in nondependent patients it will not antagonize an opioid analgesic administered just before, concurrently, or just after an injection of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Injection. Therefore, due to additive pharmacologic effects, the concomitant use of other opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants such as alcohol, other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants,...