Drexel University College of Medicine

Poisons

Pentazocine overdose

Definition

Pentazocine is a medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. A pentazocine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Talwin; Alupent; Fortal; Pentafen; Fortulgesic; Litcon

Poisonous Ingredient

Pentazocine

Where Found

• Algopent
• Fortral
• Fortulgesic
• Litcon
• Pentafen
• Talwin Nx

This list is not all-inclusive.

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Pinpoint pupils
• Gastrointestinal
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Weak pulse
• Lungs
  • Breathing difficulty
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
• Skin
  • Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis)

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Fluids by IV
• Gastric lavage
• Laxative
• Naloxone (Narcan), a medicine (antidote) to help reverse the effect of the poison -- multiple doses may be needed

Expectations (prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose often occurs within 1 - 2 days.

References

Goldfrank LR, ed. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2006.

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