Sometimes we experience pain that is so severe that we can't bear it. Think about the pain that occurs after a major surgery, or due to a serious medical condition. At times like these, it can be difficult to control the pain with the painkillers that we usually take. It is in such cases that doctors prescribe a powerful painkiller like Butorphanol. So, today we will talk in detail and simply about this medicine called Butorphanol.
What kind of medicine is Butorphanol?
Simply put, Butorphanol is a powerful painkiller that is used to control severe pain . It belongs to a class of drugs called ``Opioids.'' Doctors usually prescribe this medication when other painkillers fail to control the pain, or when the patient cannot tolerate those painkillers.
This medicine works by blocking pain signals from reaching our brain. This reduces the amount of pain we feel. In addition to relieving pain, this medicine is sometimes used to make a patient sleepy and calm down before a medical test or surgery.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before giving you Butorphanol, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because using this medicine with certain medical conditions can be risky. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it .
| Situation / Habit | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Brain tumor or head injury | In such cases, there is a risk of this medication increasing pressure in the brain. |
| Lung disease, asthma, or other breathing problems | Butorphanol can slow breathing, so it can be dangerous for people with respiratory diseases. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The dosage may need to be adjusted because it may affect the process of removing the medication from the body. |
| Low adrenal gland function | This medicine may make the condition worse. |
| Substance use disorder | This medication also has the potential to be addictive, so it is very important to inform the doctor. |
| Seizures | This medication may increase the risk of epileptic seizures. |
| If you have taken a medicine in the `(MAOI)` category (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) in the past 14 days | Using these two drugs together can cause very serious side effects. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | It is essential to seek medical advice as this medicine may affect the baby. |
| Allergic reaction to other medicines, foods, dyes | This is important to confirm whether you are allergic to Butorphanol or its ingredients. |
How do you use this medicine?
Butorphanol is an injection that is given into a muscle or into a vein . This is usually given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic.
Rarely, some patients may need to receive this vaccine at home. In such cases, you will be clearly instructed on how to prepare and inject the vaccine. Remember to take only the correct dose, at the correct time, as instructed by your doctor . Never take more than the prescribed amount.
Do not throw used needles and syringes in the regular trash. They should be placed in a special container designated for this purpose (sharps container). If you do not have one, ask your medical team about how to obtain one.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you should, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is an emergency, do not delay.
Most importantly, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Pay attention to pain: If your pain doesn't go away, or if it gets worse, or if you develop a new type of pain, tell your doctor.
- Difference between Tolerance and Addiction: When you use this medication for a long time, the dose you took before may no longer be enough to control your pain. This means you may need to take a higher dose. This is called `tolerance`. This is normal.
Tolerance is not addiction. Addiction is an uncontrollable desire to use a drug for psychological pleasure without a medical reason. If you are in pain, you have a medical reason to take a painkiller.
- Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly: Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up from a sitting position suddenly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
- Avoid alcohol: Taking this medication with alcohol can worsen side effects such as drowsiness and slowed breathing.
- Know about Naloxone: Naloxone is a life-saving emergency drug given in the event of an opioid overdose. Ask your doctor about how to take this medication and when it is needed (difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, loss of consciousness).
- Constipation: This medication may cause constipation. If you have difficulty defecating for more than 3 days, tell your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, things like chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, Butorphanol can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Butorphanol side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion, and inability to wake up. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Dizziness/drowsiness | Dizziness / Drowsiness |
| Constipation | Constipation |
| Dry mouth | Dry mouth |
| Headache | Headache |
| Nausea and vomiting | Nausea / Vomiting |
This list is not all possible side effects. If you notice anything else unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Butorphanol is a strong opioid painkiller used for severe pain. It is usually given in a hospital setting.
- Before taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, other medications you are taking, and allergies.
- Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving, as the medication may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, or confusion , go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- Never share this medicine with others. It is illegal and very dangerous. Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children.
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