Health Library

Nalbuphine (By injection)

Nalbuphine (NAL-bue-feen)

Treats various types of severe pain. Also used during anesthesia, surgery, or childbirth. This medicine is a narcotic pain medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Nalbuphine HCl Novaplus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how nalbuphine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, mirtazapine, tramadol, trazodone
  • Benzodiazepine medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • MAO inhibitor
  • Medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or mental health problems
  • Phenothiazine medicine
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are using buprenorphine, butorphanol, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, breathing or lung problems (such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, sleep apnea), adrenal problems, gallbladder or pancreas problems, heart attack, slow heartbeat, or a history of brain tumor, head injury, depression, mental health problems, or seizures. Tell your doctor if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • High risk of overdose, which can lead to death
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)
  • Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)
  • Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Extreme dizziness or weakness, shallow breathing, slow or uneven heartbeat, sweating, cold or clammy skin, seizures
• Severe confusion, lightheadedness, fainting
• Severe constipation or stomach pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given
• Sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024