DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Important Dosage and Administration Instructions
Butorphanol Tartrate Injection should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks.
Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see WARNINGS]. Because the risk of overdose increases as opioid doses increase, reserve titration to higher doses of Butorphanol Tartrate Injection for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks.
There is variability in the opioid analgesic dose and duration needed to adequately manage pain due both to the cause of pain and to individual patient factors. Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient’s underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment and response, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse [see WARNINGS].
Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with Butorphanol Tartrate Injection. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments [see WARNINGS].
Initial Dosage
Factors to be considered in determining the dose are age, body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of other drugs, type of anesthesia to be used, and surgical procedure involved. Use in the elderly, patients with hepatic or renal disease, or in labor requires extra caution [see PRECAUTIONS; CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Individualization of Dosage]. The following doses are for patients who do not have impaired hepatic or renal function and who are not on CNS active agents.
Use for Pain
Intravenous
The usual recommended single-dose for IV administration is 1 mg repeated every three to four hours as necessary. The effective dosage range, depending on the severity of pain, is 0.5 to 2 mg repeated every three to four hours.
Intramuscular
The usual recommended single-dose for IM administration is 2 mg in patients who will be able to remain recumbent, in the event drowsiness or dizziness occurs. This may be repeated every three to four hours, as necessary. The effective dosage range depending on the severity of pain is 1 to 4 mg repeated every three to four hours. There are insufficient clinical data to recommend single-doses above 4 mg.
Use as Preoperative/Preanesthetic Medication
The preoperative medication dosage of Butorphanol Tartrate Injection should be individualized [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Individualization of Dosage]. The usual adult dose is 2 mg IM, administered 60 to 90 minutes before surgery. This is approximately equivalent in sedative effect to 10 mg morphine or 80 mg meperidine.
Use in Balanced Anesthesia
The usual dose of Butorphanol Tartrate Injection is 2 mg IV shortly before induction and/or 0.5 to 1 mg IV in increments during anesthesia. The increment may be higher, up to 0.06 mg/kg (4 mg/70 kg), depending on previous sedative, analgesic, and hypnotic drugs administered. The total dose of butorphanol injection will vary; however, patients seldom require less than 4 mg or more than 12.5 mg (approximately 0.06 to 0.18 mg/kg).
Labor
In patients at full term in early labor a 1 to 2 mg dose of butorphanol tartrate IV or IM may be administered and repeated after 4 hours. Alternative analgesia should be used for pain associated with delivery or if delivery is expected to occur within 4 hours.
If concomitant use of butorphanol with drugs that may potentiate its effects is deemed necessary [see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions] the lowest effective dose should be employed.
Dosage Modifications in Elderly Patients and Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment
The initial dose sequence in elderly patients and patients with hepatic or renal impairment should be limited to 1 mg followed, if needed, by 1 mg in 90 to 120 minutes. The repeat dose sequence should be determined by the patient's response rather than at fixed times but will generally be no less than at 6 hours intervals [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Individualization of Dosage, PRECAUTIONS].
Titration and Maintenance of Therapy
Individually titrate Butorphanol Tartrate Injection to a dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes adverse reactions. Continually reevaluate patients receiving Butorphanol Tartrate Injection to assess the maintenance of pain control, signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and other adverse reactions as well as reassessing for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse [see WARNINGS]. Frequent communication is important among the prescriber, other members of the healthcare team, the patient, and the caregiver/family during periods of changing analgesic requirements, including initial titration.
If the level of pain increases after dosage stabilization, attempt to identify the source of increased pain before increasing the Butorphanol Tartrate Injection dosage. If after increasing the dosage, unacceptable opioid-related adverse reactions are observed (including an increase in pain after dosage increase), consider reducing the dosage [see WARNINGS]. Adjust the dosage to obtain an appropriate balance between management of pain and opioid-related adverse reactions.
Discontinuation of Butorphanol Tartrate Injection
When a patient who has been taking Butorphanol Tartrate Injection regularly and may be physically dependent no longer requires therapy with Butorphanol Tartrate Injection, taper the dose gradually, by 25% to 50% every 2 to 4 days, while monitoring carefully for signs and symptoms of withdrawal. If the patient develops these signs or symptoms, raise the dose to the previous level and taper more slowly, either by increasing the interval between decreases, decreasing the amount of change in dose, or both. Do not abruptly discontinue Butorphanol Tartrate Injection in a physically-dependent patient [see WARNINGS, DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE].
Safety and Handling
Butorphanol Tartrate Injection is supplied in sealed delivery systems that have a low risk of accidental exposure to healthcare workers. Ordinary care should be taken to avoid aerosol generation while preparing a syringe for use. Following skin contact, rinsing with cool water is recommended.
The disposal of Schedule IV controlled substances must be consistent with State and Federal Regulations.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.