Dangerous Drug: Levorphanol Tartrate(lee vor’ fa nole)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE C-II
Drug class
Opioid agonist analgesic
Therapeutic Actions
Indications
Relief of moderate to severe acute and chronic pain
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to opioids, diarrhea caused by poisoning (before toxins are eliminated), pregnancy (neonatal withdrawal), labor or delivery (respiratory depression of neonate—premature infants are especially at risk; may prolong labor), bronchial asthma, acute alcoholism, increased intracranial pressure, respiratory depression, anoxia.
Use cautiously with COPD, cor pulmonale, acute abdominal conditions, CV disease, supraventricular tachycardias, myxedema, seizure disorders, delirium tremens, cerebral arteriosclerosis, ulcerative colitis, kyphoscoliosis, Addison disease, prostatic hypertrophy, urethral stricture, recent GI or GU surgery, toxic psychosis, and renal or hepatic impairment.
Available Forms
Tablets—2 mg
Dosages
Adults
Starting dose is 2 mg PO repeated every 3–6 hr. Higher doses may be needed in opioid-tolerant patients or patients with severe pain. Usual dose, 8–16 mg/day.
Geriatric patients or impaired adults
Use caution—respiratory depression may occur in the elderly, the very ill, and those with respiratory problems. Reduced dosage (by up to 50%) may be necessary.
Pharmacokinetics
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