Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Pentazocine overdose

Talwin; Alupent; Fortal; Pentafen; Fortulgesic; Litcon

 

Pentazocine is a medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. A pentazocine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

 

Pentazocine

 

Where Found

 

Pentazocine is found in:

  • Algopent
  • Fortral
  • Fortulgesic
  • Litcon
  • Pentafen
  • Talwin Nx

This list is not all-inclusive.

 

Symptoms

 

In most opioid poisonings, the person will have signs of opioid intoxication. Opioids are powerful painkillers. Symptoms may include:

  • Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Rapid heartbeat and blood pressure changes
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Seizures
  • Stomach cramps
  • Vomiting

Pentazocine is a weak opioid. It may cause opioid withdrawal symptoms in people who use it as a substitute for stronger formulations. Symptoms of withdrawal may include:

  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Diarrhea
  • Goose bumps
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Vomiting

 

Home Care

 

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:

  • The person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
  • The time it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the person

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

 

Poison Control

 

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Fluids through a vein (intravenous or IV)
  • Laxative
  • Medicines to treat symptoms, including naloxone (Narcan), an antidote to help reverse the effect of the poison, multiple doses may be needed

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Pentazocine overdose is usually much less serious than other opioid medicine overdoses, such as heroin and morphine. Rarely do antidotes, such as Narcan, need to be used. Although deaths have been reported, most people who receive immediate treatment should recover well.

 

 

References

Bardsley CH. Opioids. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 162.

Goldfrank LR, ed. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies . 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2011.

 

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Pentazocine overdose

           

             

            Review Date: 1/17/2015

            Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

            The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

             
             
             

             

             

            A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



            Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.