What is Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Pentazocine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.
Naloxone is an special narcotic drug that reverses the effects of other narcotic medicines.
The combination of naloxone and pentazocine is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. Naloxone is included in this combination to prevent the misuse of the narcotic ingredient.
Naloxone and pentazocine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Never crush a naloxone and pentazocine tablet to mix into a liquid for injecting the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of pentazocine and similar prescription drugs.
Pentazocine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Naloxone and pentazocine 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 taking naloxone and pentazocine. Alcohol can increase some of the side effects of narcotic pain medicine.
Never take more than your prescribed dose of naloxone and pentazocine. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Naloxone and pentazocine 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.
Do not stop using naloxone and pentazocine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Before using naloxone, tell your doctor if you are using any other narcotic pain medicines. The pain-relieving effects of any narcotic medications you use will be reversed if you use them while you are taking naloxone and pentazocine.
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to naloxone (Narcan) or pentazocine.
Pentazocine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Naloxone and pentazocine 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.
Before using naloxone and pentazocine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders
- liver or kidney disease
- heart disease or history of heart attack
- brain tumor or head injury
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder
- low blood pressure
- gallbladder disease
- mental illness
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
- if you have recently received other narcotic pain medicine or methadone
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take naloxone and pentazocine.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether naloxone and pentazocine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Talwin NX Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
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.
Stop using naloxone and pentazocine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- confusion, hallucinations
- fast heart rate
- weak or shallow breathing
- chest pain
- seizure (convulsions)
- cold, clammy skin
- tremors
- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
- severe anxiety or restlessness; or
- feeling like you might pass out
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness
- headache, weakness
- sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams
- diarrhea, constipation
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
- sweating
- blurred vision; or
- ringing in your ears
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.
Talwin NX Interactions
What other drugs affect Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Before you take naloxone and pentazocine, tell your doctor if you are now using or have recently used other narcotic medications such as:
- fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic)
- hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin)
- hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone)
- levorphanol (Levo-Droman)
- meperidine (Demerol)
- methadone (Diskets, Methadose, Dolophine)
- morphine (Duramorph, Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others)
- nalbuphine (Nubain)
- oxycodone (Oxycontin)
- oxymorphone (Numorphan, Opana); or
- pentazocine (Talwin Lactate)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with naloxone and pentazocine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Do not take naloxone and pentazocine 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.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking naloxone and pentazocine. Alcohol can increase some of the side effects of narcotic pain medicine.
Naloxone and pentazocine 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.
Talwin NX Dosage
How should I take Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Never crush a naloxone and pentazocine tablet to mix into a liquid for injecting the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of pentazocine and similar prescription drugs.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take naloxone and pentazocine 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.
Do not stop using naloxone and pentazocine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Store naloxone and pentazocine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Pentazocine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I overdose on Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, weak pulse, shallow breathing, or fainting.
What happens if I miss a dose of Talwin NX (Naloxone Pentazocine)?
Since this medication is sometimes used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com