Pentazocine/naloxone (By mouth)

Brand Name(s)

Talwin NX

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, low blood pressure, a recent heart attack, or a history of head injury, seizures, or recent surgery. Tell your doctor if you have adrenal problems, asthma or other lung problems (such as COPD, respiratory depression), gallbladder problems, kyphoscoliosis (severe curvature of the spine with breathing problems), mental illness, pancreas problems, porphyria (an enzyme problem), prostate problems, bowel blockage, stomach problems, trouble urinating, or an underactive thyroid. Tell your doctor if you have been addicted to alcohol or drugs.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Change positions slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
• This medicine may cause constipation. This is more common if you use it for a long time. Ask your doctor if you should also use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Extreme weakness, shallow breathing, sweating, or cold or clammy skin.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Severe confusion or hallucinations (seeing things that are not there).
• Severe stomach pain.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision.
• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or upset stomach.
• Dry mouth.
• Headache.
• Mild rash or itching skin.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
• Weakness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have received a MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. Tell your doctor if you are also using an anticholinergic medicine (such as ipratropium, glycopyrrolate, or Atrovent®) or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).
• Avoid tobacco smoking while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Introduction

Naloxone (nal-OX-one), Pentazocine (pen-TAZ-oh-seen)

Relieves moderate to severe pain. This medicine is a narcotic analgesic ("pain medicine").