Stadol (Butorphanol Tartrate) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images 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 Side Effects

Brand Names: Stadol

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

What is butorphanol (Stadol)?

Butorphanol is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of butorphanol (Stadol)?

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:

pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
cold, clammy skin;
problems with urination;
tremors;
confusion, feeling like you are floating; or
feeling light-headed, fainting.

Less serious side effects include:

drowsiness, dizziness;
constipation;
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
warmth or redness under the skin;
dry mouth;
blurred vision;
ringing in your ear;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

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 given to 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.

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.

Butorphanol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Never use more than your prescribed dose of butorphanol. 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. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

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