Category:

• Analgesic

Description:

• Synthetic partial opiate agonist analgesic

Indications:

• Moderate to severe pain associated with chronic conditions (cancer, othropedic pain)

• Moderate to severe pain associated with surgical procedures .

Contraindications:

• Patients with impaired respiratory function.  

Precautions:

• Pregnancy Category C

• Patients will experience CNS effects of drowsiness and dizziness, therefore use caution with motor vehicle operation or other hazardous tasks.

• Avoid prolonged, sustained usage to decrease addiction potential.

• Use with caution with other CNS depressive medications.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Sedation

• Dizziness

• GI effects (nausea, vomiting, dry mouth)

Dosage:

Administered in smallest effective dose, as infrequently as possible and titrated to pain control

Administered SQ, IM or IV

Adult (non-opiate tolerant):

• Normal: 10mg (in 70kg patient), then repeated q3-6h as needed

• Maximum single dose: 20mg

• Maximum daily dose: 160mg

Adult (opiate tolerant):

• Administer 25% of usual nalbuphine dose

Anesthesia adjunct:

• 0.3-3mg/kg given IV over 10-15 minutes, then 0.25-0.5mg/kg IV as needed