This medicine is given by injection (shots) to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is also used as part of anesthesia before surgery, for the relief of pain after surgery, and for the relief of pain during labor and delivery of a baby.

Proper Use

Your dosage is determined by your weight. The shots may be given subcutaneously (just under the skin), intramuscularly (into a muscle), or intravenously (into a vein). They are given every 3 to 6 hours as needed.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have the shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once, and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions.

Please Note

Taking too much of this medicine may become habit-forming. Also, if you stop taking this medicine all at once, you may develop symptoms similar to those caused by narcotic withdrawal. Take the medicine exactly according to your doctor's instructions.

If you have liver or kidney disease, use this medicine with caution. Discuss this with your doctor.

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are alert.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding an infant. Using too much of this medicine during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Possible Side Effects

Serious (report these to your doctor right way): Trouble breathing, shortness of breath.

Other: Sedation, feeling sweaty or clammy, nausea, vomiting dizziness, dry mouth, headache, constipation.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Possible Drug Interactions

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it may increase or decrease the effects of the medicines. Or the combination may cause harmful side effects. Some medicines that may interact with this medicine are:

• barbiturates such as methohexital sodium (Brevital) and thiopental sodium (Pentothal)
• other sedatives, such as temazepam (Restoril), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), clorazepate (Tranxene), and triazolam (Halcion).

Be sure that you tell all doctors who treat you about all medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products.

This educational document includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Other Names For This Medication:

nalbuphine hydrochloride, injection; Nubain (nalbuphine hydrochloride, injection); PAIN, MODERATE TO SEVERE