Nalbuphine

• Nalbuphine

• Nubain

Classification:

• Narcotic agonist-antagonist analgesic

Mechanism of Action:

• Acts on specific opioid receptors in the CNS to produce sedation and analgesia
• Alters the perception of and response to pain
• Similar analgesic potency of morphine

Indications:

• Moderate to severe pain 

Contraindications:

• Respiratory depression
• Acute exacerbation of asthma or COPD
• Hypotension
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Precautions:

• Administer with caution in patients dependent on narcotics
• Can potentiate the CNS depression associated with narcotics, sedatives, hypnotics, and alcohol
• Can cause withdrawal symptoms in patients addicted to narcotics

Adverse Effects:

• Headache, altered mental status, hypotension, bradycardia, N/V

Dose:

• 5 mg IV initially
  • May be augmented with additional 2 mg doses if necessary

• IV

• Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS)
• Pharmacology for the Prehospital Provider 2nd Edition