Pentazocine overdose

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Pentazocine overdose is poisoning from an overdose of pentazocine.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Pentazocine

Where Found    Return to top

• Talwin Nx
• Algopent
• Fortral
• Pentafen
• Fortulgesic
• Liticon

This list is not all-inclusive.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Respiratory
  • Breathing difficulty (may be shallow, slow, or labored, or may stop, which can be fatal in 2 - 4 minutes)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Pinpoint pupils
• Skin
  • Cyanosis
• Gastrointestinal
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Weak or fast pulse
  • Low blood pressure or high blood pressure
  • Palpitations
• Nervous system
  • Drowsiness
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Headache

Home Treatment    Return to top

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control Centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following may be performed or given:

• Gastric lavageВ 
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Counteracting medication or narcotic antagonist (multiple doses may be needed)
• Intravenous fluids
• MonitoringВ breathing
• Treating other symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

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