Stadol injection

Generic Name: butorphanol (injection) (byoo TOR fa nole)

Brand Names: Stadol

What is butorphanol?

Butorphanol is a narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine.

Butorphanol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also used as part of anesthesia for surgery, or during early labor (if childbirth is expected to be more than 4 hours away).

Butorphanol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about butorphanol?

You should not use butorphanol if you have recently used narcotic medications and have become dependent on them. Butorphanol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not drink alcohol while you are using butorphanol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Never use butorphanol in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not stop using butorphanol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using butorphanol.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using butorphanol?

Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine.

You should not use butorphanol if you have recently used narcotic medications and have become dependent on them.

Butorphanol may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share butorphanol with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

To make sure you can safely use butorphanol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

  
  


• liver or kidney disease;


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  a history of head injury or brain tumor;

  
  


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  heart disease, high blood pressure, recent heart attack;

  
  


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  mental illness; or

  
  


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  a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether butorphanol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using butorphanol.

Butorphanol is sometimes used during early labor, but using it just before childbirth can cause breathing problems in a newborn.

Butorphanol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.

How should I use butorphanol?

Use exactly as prescribed. Never use butorphanol in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Butorphanol is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not stop using butorphanol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using butorphanol. Store butorphanol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since butorphanol is often used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of butorphanol can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, confusion, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, shallow breathing, fainting, or breathing that stops.

What should I avoid while using butorphanol?

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medication. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with butorphanol. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Butorphanol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

  
  


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  shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;

  
  


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  cold, clammy skin;

  
  


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  problems with urination;

  
  


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  tremors;

  
  


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  confusion, feeling like you are floating;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out; or

  
  


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  dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, trouble breathing, seizure).

  
  

Less serious side effects include:

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  drowsiness, dizziness;

  
  


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  constipation;

  
  


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  nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

  
  


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  dry mouth; or

  
  


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  warmth or redness under the skin.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect butorphanol?

You should not use butorphanol with other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are using butorphanol.

There may be other drugs that can interact with butorphanol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Stadol resources

• Stadol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Stadol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Stadol Drug Interactions
• Stadol Support Group
• 18 Reviews for Stadol - Add your own review/rating

Compare Stadol with other medications

• Anesthesia
• Anesthetic Adjunct
• Labor Pain
• Pain

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about butorphanol injection.

See also: Stadol side effects (in more detail)