Stadol (Butorphanol Tartrate) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Types of Pain Medications »

For what conditions are pain medications used?

Virtually any disease as well as most injuries and surgical procedures involve some degree of pain. It's not surprising, then, that pain medications, also known as analgesics, are among the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Pain can range from minor, acute complaints, such as a muscle sprain, to chronic, severe pain, such as that sometimes experienced by cancer patients. Some drugs used for other conditions also are effective at relieving certain types of pain. These drugs include certain drugs used for depression, epilepsy, and anxiety.

What are the differences among the types of pain medications?

Pain medications can be broadly classified into two categories: prescription and nonprescription. In the latter category are several mild anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), as well as acetaminophen. These are mainly meant for use with short-term, acute pain -- menstrual cramps,...

Read the Types of Pain Medications article »

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Stadol Patient Information including How Should I Take

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

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. Butorphanol should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have

asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
a dependence on narcotic pain medications;
heart disease, high blood pressure, recent heart attack;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use butorphanol or you may require a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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

Butorphanol passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use butorphanol 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 (Stadol)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never use butorphanol in larger amounts, or use it 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 given as an injection into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.

Use each disposable needle and syringe only one time. Throw away used needles and syringes 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. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Store butorphanol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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