Dangerous Drug: Nalbuphine Hydrochloride



Dangerous Drug: Nalbuphine Hydrochloride





(nal’ byoo feen)

Nubain

PREGNANCY CATEGORY B

PREGNANCY CATEGORY D

(PROLONGED USE OR WITH HIGH DOSES AT TERM)


Drug class

Opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic


Therapeutic Actions

Nalbuphine acts as an agonist at specific opioid receptors in the CNS to produce analgesia and sedation but also acts to cause hallucinations and is an antagonist at mu receptors.


Indications



  • Relief of moderate to severe pain


  • Preoperative analgesia, as a supplement to surgical anesthesia, and for obstetric analgesia during labor and delivery


  • Unlabeled use: Prevention and treatment of intrathecal morphine–induced pruritus after cesarean section



Available Forms

Injection—10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL



Dosages

Adults

Moderate to severe pain: Usual dose is 10 mg for a 70-kg person IM, IV, or subcutaneously every 3–6 hr as needed. Individualize dosage. In nontolerant patients, the recommended single maximum dose is 20 mg, with a maximum total daily dose of 160 mg. Patients dependent on opioids may experience withdrawal symptoms with administration of nalbuphine; control by small increments of morphine by slow IV administration until relief occurs. If the previous opioid was morphine, meperidine, codeine, or another opioid with similar duration of activity, administer one-fourth the anticipated nalbuphine dose initially, and observe for signs of withdrawal. If no untoward symptoms occur, progressively increase doses until analgesia is obtained.

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Jul 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Dangerous Drug: Nalbuphine Hydrochloride

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