Pentazocine and naloxone are often given in combination to act as an analgesic to help relieve severe pain. Pentazocine is considered an opiate, or narcotic, and is supposed to change the way in which the brain responds to severe pain. Naloxone has been added to pentazocine tablets in order to block the hazardous effects when injected into the body, as this method of severe pain relief is only effective when taken by mouth. In fact, injecting this medication can lead to serious medical issues and even death. It needs to be prescribed by a doctor, especially since it can be addictive due to its narcotic properties.
This medication should be taken at the first sign of pain, since it may take some time to become effective for severe pain relief. Those who experience nausea when taking this drug should eat food with it, lie down shortly afterward, or take antihistamines around the same time until the stomach upset dissipates. Most doctors prescribe a tablet containing both pentazocine and naloxone, and encourage patients to take it every three to four hours to help relieve moderate to severe pain. It is considered dangerous to take a larger dose than the doctor advises, and should also not be taken for a longer period of time than is suggested. Patients who continue this treatment longer than advised may notice withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it suddenly, such as watery eyes, runny nose, excessive sweating, and restlessness.
Patients who have allergies to any medications, or are currently also taking antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping pills, herbal supplements, vitamins, or any cough or cold medicine should let their doctor know. This is because pentazocine and naloxone may interact negatively with some medications. Those with problems with addiction, especially to drugs like alcohol or narcotics, should also let their doctor know before taking pentazocine and naloxone for pain relief. Additionally, patients who have had liver, kidney, lung, heart, or thyroid disease should alert their doctor before taking pentazocine and naloxone, as this drug can worsen certain conditions.
Those who drink alcohol frequently, are age 65 or older, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, should talk to a doctor about alternative severe pain relief options, since this medication may be dangerous for them. Some side effects that may occur with this treatment include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, mood swings, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, constipation, and difficult urination. More serious side effects of pentazocine and naloxone include fast heart rate, fainting, shortness of breath, and hallucinations.