Pentazocine and naloxone

FDA label, Actavis Pharma, Inc., oral, effective 2026-06-19. Full label on DailyMed

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Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

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WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF PENTAZOCINE AND NALOXONE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS ] . Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase.

To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets are essential [see WARNINGS ] . Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of Pentazocine [see WARNINGS] . Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing of Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [see WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS ; Drug Interactions] . Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Advise pregnant women using opioids for an extended period of time of the risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery [see WARNINGS ] .

Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program and to counsel patients and caregivers on serious risks, safe use, and the importance of reading the Medication Guide with each prescription [see Warnings ] .

Dosing in kidney impairment

Alternatively, consider the use of non-opioid analgesics in these patients. Adrenal Insufficiency Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than 1 month of use. Presentation of adrenal insufficiency may include non-specific symptoms and signs including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, confirm the diagnosis with diagnostic testing as soon as possible. If adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids. Wean the patient off of the opioid to allow adrenal function to recover and continue corticosteroid treatment until adrenal function recovers.

Other opioids may be tried as some cases reported use of a different opioid without recurrence of adrenal insufficiency. The information available does not identify any particular opioids as being more likely to be associated with adrenal insufficiency. Severe Hypotension Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets may cause severe hypotension including orthostatic hypotension and syncope in ambulatory patients.

Drug interactions

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Label text (2 paragraphs)

Drug Interactions Benzodiazepine s and Other Centra l Nervous Syste m (CNS) Depressants Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants including alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedative hypnotics, anxiolytics, and tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Inform patients and caregivers of this potential interaction, educate them on the signs and symptoms of respiratory depression (including sedation). If concomitant use is warranted, consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent [see WARNINGS , DOSAGE and ADMINISTRATION ] .

Contraindications

Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets are 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 ] Patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see WARNINGS ] Patients with hypersensitivity to either pentazocine, naloxone, or any of the formulation excipients (e.g., anaphylaxis) [see WARNINGS ].

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome [see WARNINGS ] . There are no available data with Pentazocine and Naloxone Tablets in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, pentazocine administered subcutaneously to pregnant hamsters during the early gestational period produced neural tube defects (i.e., exencephaly and cranioschisis) at 2.6 times the maximum daily dose (MDD).

In pregnant rats administered pentazocine:naloxone during organogenesis, there were increased incidences of resorptions and extra ribs at 0.2 times the MDD. There was no evidence of malformations in rats or rabbits [ s e e Data ]. Based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

C lini ca l C onsid era tions F e tal/ N e onatal Ad ve rse R e a c tions Use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy for medical or nonmedical purposes can result in physical dependence in the neonate and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome shortly after birth. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea and failure to gain weight. The onset, duration, and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome vary based on the specific opioid used, duration of use, timing and amount of last maternal use, and rate of elimination of the drug by the newborn.

Observe newborns for symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly [see WARNINGS ].

Lactation

nursing mothers to carefully observe infants for increased sleepiness (more than usual), breathing difficulties, or limpness. Instruct nursing mothers to seek immediate medical care if they notice these signs [see PRECAUTIONS;

For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.

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