$Unique_ID{BRK02077}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PENTAZOCINE}
$Subject{Talwin NX (Winthrop)}
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$Log{
Talwin NX*0207701.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PENTAZOCINE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Talwin NX (Winthrop)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Analgesic
INGREDIENTS:
     pentazocine and naloxone
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (50 mg pentazocine and 0.5 mg naloxone)
STORAGE:
     Pentazocine tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed, light-resistant container.

USES

     Pentazocine is a narcotic analgesic that acts directly on the central
nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Naloxone is added to this compound to prevent abuse.  It is not absorbed from
the gastrointestinal tract, but it does block the action of pentazocine if the
drug is injected into the body.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take pentazocine with food or
with a full glass of milk or water.
     This medication works most effectively if you take it at the onset of
pain, rather than waiting until the pain becomes intense.
     If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
your next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
well-being, flushing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, rash, or
sweating.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or lying position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
anxiety, difficulty in breathing, excitation, fatigue, painful or difficult
urination, palpitations, rash, restlessness, sore throat and fever, tremors,
or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Pentazocine interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic
antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this drug
can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
     3. The combination of cimetidine and this medication may cause confusion,
disorientation, and shortness of breath.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to pentazocine or to other narcotic analgesics
(such as codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine,
oxycodone, and propoxyphene).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute
abdominal conditions, asthma, brain disease, colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or
gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart disease, kidney disease, liver
disease, lung disease, mental illness, emotional disorders, enlarged prostate
gland, thyroid disease, or urethral stricture.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Because this product contains pentazocine, it has the potential for
abuse and must be used with caution.  Usually, it should not be taken on a
regular schedule for longer than ten days, unless your doctor directs you to
do so.  Tolerance develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking
the drug abruptly, unless you first consult your doctor.  If you have been
taking large amounts of this medication, or have been taking it for long
periods, you may experience a withdrawal reaction (muscle aches, diarrhea,
gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering, trembling, stomach
cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive yawning, or
sweating) when you stop taking it.  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce
the dosage gradually.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
studied in humans.  However, pentazocine, used regularly in large doses during
the later stages of pregnancy, may result in addiction of the fetus--leading
to withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever,
vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) at birth.  Also, tell your
doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication
may pass into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing
infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
