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Butorphanol and nalbuphine: a pharmacologic comparison
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Butorphanol and nalbuphine are effective opioid analgesics with similar pharmacologic profiles. Nalbuphine offers a longer duration of action and unique benefits for cardiac patients, with low adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Butorphanol and nalbuphine are agonist/antagonist analgesics.
- These drugs are increasingly used for intravenous sedation.
- Nalbuphine will soon be available as an oral analgesic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the pharmacologic similarities and dissimilarities of butorphanol and nalbuphine.
- To evaluate their efficacy and safety as analgesic and sedation agents.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic comparisons.
- Review of clinical applications and adverse effect profiles.
Main Results:
- Both drugs are equianalgesic to morphine and codeine.
- Nalbuphine has a longer duration of action and a plateau effect on respiratory depression.
- Nalbuphine does not increase cardiac workload in at-risk patients.
Conclusions:
- Butorphanol and nalbuphine are effective analgesics with similar profiles but distinct characteristics.
- Nalbuphine presents a favorable safety profile, particularly for cardiac patients.
- Both drugs have a low potential for abuse and can precipitate abstinence syndrome.
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