About nalbuphine
Opioid analgesic
Used for
- Moderate to severe pain
- Pain relief during surgery or childbirth
Usual adult dose
Usually 10 mg intravenously, intramuscularly, or under the skin every 3–6 hours as needed; dose depends on clinical setting.
Usual dose in children
Not routinely established; pediatric use requires specialist dosing and monitoring.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, or headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating or dry mouth
- Slow or shallow breathing
Important warnings
- Can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially with sedatives or alcohol.
- May cause dependence or withdrawal; can trigger withdrawal in people using opioid medicines.
- Use cautiously with breathing problems, head injury, or impaired liver or kidney function.
- Injection or infusion must be given by trained healthcare professionals.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed. Repeated use near delivery can cause newborn breathing problems or withdrawal.
Breastfeeding
May cause sleepiness or breathing problems in a breastfed infant; use requires clinical assessment.
Interactions
- Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives increase sedation and breathing risks.
- Other opioids may have reduced pain relief or trigger withdrawal.
- Medicines that slow breathing can increase serious respiratory effects.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.