Nubain

Generic Name: nalbuphine (NAL bue feen)Brand Names: Nubain

What is Nubain (nalbuphine)?

Nalbuphine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is similar to morphine.

Nalbuphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also used for treating pain just after surgery or childbirth.

Nalbuphine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Nubain (nalbuphine)?

Nalbuphine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Nalbuphine should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Nalbuphine may cause unpleasant side effects if you are already taking other narcotic pain medicines. Before you receive nalbuphine, tell your doctor about all other pain medicines you have recently used.

Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have asthma or other breathing disorder, liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, mental illness, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Tell your doctor if you take other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or any other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Nalbuphine may cause unpleasant side effects if you are already taking other narcotic pain medicines. Before you receive nalbuphine, tell your doctor about all other pain medicines you have recently used.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive Nubain (nalbuphine)?You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to nalbuphine.

Nalbuphine may cause unpleasant side effects if you are already taking other narcotic pain medicines. Before you receive nalbuphine, tell your doctor about all other pain medicines you have recently used.

Nalbuphine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Nalbuphine should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Before receiving nalbuphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or other breathing disorder;

• liver or kidney disease;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• gallbladder disease;

• mental illness; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category B. Nalbuphine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Nalbuphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is nalbuphine given?

This medication is given as an injection into a muscle or under your skin, or through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Nalbuphine is usually given every 3 to 6 hours.

Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

You should not stop using nalbuphine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since nalbuphine is usually given by a healthcare provider, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness and confusion.

What should I avoid while receiving Nubain (nalbuphine)?

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medication. Alcohol can increase some of the side effects of nalbuphine. Nalbuphine 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.

Nubain (nalbuphine) side effects

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. Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak or shallow breathing;

• fast or slow heart rate;

• cold, clammy skin;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• severe weakness or dizziness; or

• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;

• nausea, vomiting,, stomach cramps;

• dizziness, spinning sensation;

• dry mouth, unpleasant taste;

• sweating;

• itching or burning sensation;

• headache; or

• trouble with speech or vision.

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.

What other drugs will affect Nubain (nalbuphine)?

Tell your doctor if you take other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or any other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Other narcotic medications include fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone (Numorphan, Opana), and others.

Nalbuphine may cause unpleasant side effects if you are already taking other narcotic pain medicines. Before you receive nalbuphine, tell your doctor about all other pain medicines you have recently used.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with nalbuphine. 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about nalbuphine.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:38:26 PM.