Medicines
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Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Stadol, Torbutrol, Dolorex
Butorphanol is a synthetic opioid analgesic with both agonist and antagonist activity at opioid receptors. It is primarily used for the relief of moderate to severe pain. It acts as a partial agonist at the kappa opioid receptor and a weak antagonist at the mu opioid receptor. This mixed action profile contributes to its analgesic effects while potentially reducing the risk of some opioid-related side effects like respiratory depression compared to full mu agonists. Butorphanol is available in various formulations, including nasal spray, injection, and tablets.
For the relief of moderate to severe pain, including post-operative pain, migraine, and labor pain.
Butorphanol tartrate injection contains a black box warning regarding the risk of serious adverse reactions, including slowed or difficult breathing and death, especially with intravenous administration. It warns against exceeding recommended dosages and durations and highlights the potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Outcome:
Increased sedation and respiratory depression
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depressant effects
Outcome:
Increased sedation
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depressant effects
Outcome:
May decrease the sedative effects of butorphanol
Mechanism:
Caffeine's stimulant effects
Most likely new formulation: extended-release oral formulation (Year 2025, 70% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and safety profile, butorphanol is likely to maintain its current FDA approval status with a 95% confidence.
Opioid Analgesic, Kappa Opioid Agonist, Mu Opioid Partial Agonist/Antagonist
Morphinan