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Brand Names: Nubain

Generic Name: nalbuphine (Pronunciation: NAL bue feen)

What is nalbuphine (Nubain)?
What are the possible side effects of nalbuphine (Nubain)?
What is the most important information I should know about nalbuphine (Nubain)?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive nalbuphine (Nubain)?
How is nalbuphine given (Nubain)?
What happens if I miss a dose (Nubain)?
What happens if I overdose (Nubain)?
What should I avoid while receiving nalbuphine (Nubain)?
What other drugs will affect nalbuphine (Nubain)?
Where can I get more information?

What is nalbuphine (Nubain)?

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 are the possible side effects of nalbuphine (Nubain)?

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

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 nalbuphine (Nubain)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to nalbuphine.

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 (Nubain)?

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 (Nubain)?

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

What happens if I overdose (Nubain)?

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 nalbuphine (Nubain)?

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.

What other drugs will affect nalbuphine (Nubain)?

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.

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.

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