Pentazocine overdose

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Talwin; Alupent; Fortal; Pentafen; Fortulgesic; Litcon

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

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

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

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The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Fluids by IV
• Gastric lavage
• Laxative
• Naloxone (Narcan), a medicine (antidote) to help reverse the effect of the poison -- multiple doses may be needed

Pentazocine overdose is usually much less serious than other opiod medications such as heroin and morphine. Rarely do antidotes such as Narcan need to be used. Although deaths have been reported, most persons receiving immediate help should have a very good long term outcome.

Review Date: 02/02/2011
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).