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Butorphanol User Reviews & Ratings

Butorphanol has an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 from a total of 94 reviews on Drugs.com. 58% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 37% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Butorphanol

  • Amy...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 16, 2013

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have trigeminal neuralgia which triggers pain in my head so bad I just want to take my head off. Normal migraine meds do not help for these migraines. Stadol is the only medicine that takes the pain away. Sometimes I need to take Phenergan with a spray, but other than some nausea, I have no problems with Stadol. So far, I have a nice doctor who just wants my pain to stop."

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • Cry...
  • January 11, 2012

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I've had migraines now for 56 years. I've been on just about everything out there. I was prescribed Stadol NS back in the early '90s. In the mid '90s, I was on it daily after my migraines went to a severe chronic daily status. I found Stadol NS to be a lifesaver. I have been using it every day since. Of course, some days I use almost none, and some days I use my maximum dose. I have never had any adverse reaction to it. During a time when my pharmacy wasn't able to get this medication for several months, I had no problem or withdrawal symptoms. I just had to use less effective medications. I know that everyone is different, but this medicine has been a great success for me."

10 / 10
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76 Report
  • THE...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 24, 2014

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "For migraine pain = BEST = obliterates an attack. Side effects = Severe = dizzy and sedated, tolerance develops rapidly with any repetitious use. I take Stadol to abort only the most severe migraine attacks, about 10 doses per year. I can take it, but only if I have absolutely NO responsibilities for the following 4 hours. Stadol has helped me avoid a trip to the ER numerous times. It's one of those 'break glass in case of emergency' type medicines for me. It works EXTREMELY fast, starting in less than 2 minutes."

8 / 10
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55 Report
  • Tem...
  • June 23, 2015

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I've been suffering with migraines since I was 12, and they have just gotten worse over the years. I have usually 3 to 4 migraines a month. I, like most of you, have taken just about all the triptans they make (Zomig, Maxalt, Frova, Imitrex, etc.) and numerous preventatives. I ended up in the hospital for several days because of how bad the side effects were. It took a toll on my body, I had to quit taking them, so I just suffered with my migraines and went to the ER when I couldn't handle the pain anymore, which is not fun at all, because 50% of the time you get treated like a drug seeker. Well, I was on my second pregnancy, about 4 months along, and I was just suffering daily from severe migraines. My OB prescribed me Stadol NS. This is my miracle drug, people."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Kit...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 27, 2016

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have migraines really bad, my neurologist prescribed Stadol as a last resort medication. So far, it has not worked. Just made me nauseated and gave me a head rush. It's very discouraging to read the comments about ERs thinking migraine sufferers are drug-seeking people. It's sad that we get no attention or help. I would rather suffer than go to the ER and be put in a group that I'm not in. Good luck to all of us :)"

3 / 10
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38 Report

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  • Sun...
  • August 17, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have been suffering from migraines all of my life. Before they made Stadol in nasal spray form, I was at the emergency room at least twice a month to get a shot of Stadol combined with Phenergan for the nausea. Finally, they came out with the nasal spray, which was great because not only could I not throw it up, but since it is administered through the nasal passage, it gave me almost immediate relief. I think that Stadol is the best pain medicine that was ever created. However, it is very addictive, and your tolerance gets to be higher and higher. People that suffer from any type of chronic pain, I’m sure, will agree with me."

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Amy...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 7, 2017

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I was having serial migraines and all other types of headaches for many years after a bad car accident. They got so bad I'd start screaming from pain. In the emergency room, a wonderful doctor gave me Stadol nasal spray. In less than ten minutes, my pain was under control, I had an appetite, could move around or rest as needed. The worst side effects were an awful aftertaste and snacking. I refrained from driving, but the screaming headaches would have done that to me anyway. God bless the doc that took a chance that I wasn't just another addict. Thanks to him, I did not kill myself in despair; it gave me a chance to find a decent pain doc, get blocked nerves, Botoxed TMJ, dropped Stadol, no addiction!!"

10 / 10
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33 Report
  • gid...
  • October 4, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have fibromyalgia, have been in pain for over 15 years before they had a name for it. My doctor prescribed this medicine for me in nasal form. I only use it when pain is intolerable. There have been times when I have even allowed it to be expired because of non-use. It is a great medication, but you must use it with care."

10 / 10
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43 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 13, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "Super effective and VERY strong. It's the only medicine that I've nodded to, period. Use for bad pain with care. It works wonders, instantly. A couple of sprays and you're just fine (totally crushed...but not feeling the pain)."

10 / 10
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42 Report
  • bil...
  • March 22, 2017

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have had very bad migraines for years when a neurologist prescribed the Stadol NS and, for the first time in years, I had relief. Then, without warning, they cut the amount I was allowed to have in half. So I have a good week followed by a bad week. I guess it's against the law to feel pain-free all the time."

9 / 10
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24 Report
  • Ble...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 22, 2019

Stadol (butorphanol) for Labor Pain "I was induced at 6 a.m. I was told at 6 p.m. that I was no longer dilating but now constricting. I had suffered with back pain and was given an epidural, which apparently curled, and another one was inserted, with no relief from pain. Then the anesthesiologist put Stadol in my IV, and I FLIPPED OUT. I became completely paranoid and disoriented. My tongue was swelling. I was trying to tell them no more but was having trouble talking. They gave it to me 3 times during my labor. I eventually had a c-section around midnight. It caused me to become delusional. I even thought the hospital had done something to my baby, was convinced the heartbeat from the heart monitor was not my baby’s heartbeat. When taken in for surgery, I reached up and pulled the drape down, then they finally gassed me. I have to list Stadol on my list of allergies. HORRIFIC drug that I wouldn’t want anyone to run the risk of experiencing negative side effects. Not worth it!"

1 / 10
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18 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 15, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "Stadol, along with Vistaril, are the best combination on the planet for my migraines. When I get one that will not respond to the other medicines I am supposed to try first, and if I can convince the ever-suspicious doctors and my local emergency room that not everyone is a drug seeker and some of us REALLY DO have REAL pain issues, this is usually what they give me. When I have one that bad, all I want to do is sleep through it anyway, and the Stadol alone kind of makes me drowsy but ambitious. But the Vistaril makes me relaxed and sleepy, so I don't wake up to some kind of half-done project that I neither recognize nor remember. Plus, I almost NEVER wake up with a migraine again."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • che...
  • January 4, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have been using Stadol Nasal Spray for at least 15 years. It is the best migraine medication for me that is out there. However, my doctor has recently stopped prescribing it for me because the State Drug Board, or whatever they are called, started giving him a hard time for prescribing it for me. I suffer migraines at least two times (if not more) a week and am really suffering without it. Nothing else works. The only bad side effect is some stomach discomfort at first, but it goes away as your body gets used to it. My doctor knows I need it, but his hands have been tied."

9 / 10
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35 Report
  • tro...
  • March 27, 2009

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "My doctor has prescribed this medication for migraines. It works great if you take it at the onset of a migraine. If you have a full-blown migraine, it may take several doses. All other migraine medications do not work on me. Stadol is the only pain reliever to help with the pain. Just make sure when you take it, you are someplace you can lie down."

9 / 10
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37 Report
  • JGR...
  • April 30, 2008

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "This is my rescue pain medication for really bad migraine headaches. I have killer ones - usually with aura, so I can start pain meds (2x Percocet 10/325) before pain gets out of control. I usually use Stadol if I awaken with a migraine. This medication is a lifesaver - it takes me from suicide due to pain to just being able to sleep. Only downside - it is the only medication that I have ever taken that I want more of once it wears off! Beware of addiction!"

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • thi...
  • November 11, 2014

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I get daily migraines, and nothing helps me. I've tried everything you could think of. Stadol helps my pain to an extent. I'd guess 60% with a max dose, but in all fairness, that is the best pain relief I get. But it does have side effects with me. All in all, I'd say it's helpful."

8 / 10
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26 Report
  • Lon...
  • April 2, 2011

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have tried just about everything for migraine pain. I am sensitive/allergic to the triptans. Plus, most of them last about 4-6 hours, my headaches last about 36, and you aren't supposed to use them two days in a row. I use Stadol for relief from the pain when it becomes unbearable. I use self-hypnosis, biofeedback, and Aleve, but there are times when I need something stronger. This works quickly, and there is no risk of vomiting it up as with a pill."

9 / 10
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33 Report
  • Nis...
  • January 22, 2018

Stadol (butorphanol) for Labor Pain "Well, Heather, I guess I'm in that 1 percent range with you. As soon as the medicine hit my veins, my eye began to roll, and my head started shaking like I was having a seizure or something. My heart rate was all over the place, beating extra fast, and I was literally going crazy. Fussing at my husband, and the doctor and all of the nurses telling them something is not right, something is not right, and they said I was overreacting, so I got even more annoyed. Ugh, just ugh. Although about 4 hours later, the craziness wore off, and I had a nonchalant attitude, but I told myself I will NEVER IN LIFE get that again."

1 / 10
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18 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 23, 2019

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "Chronic migraines, 15/mo, and have tried several medications and therapies, and Stadol is what the local ER gives me, and it works well. I have had some migraines that don’t respond with the 1st shot and have to go in again the next day. Being from a small town of 7,000 people, all docs know me, and I’m sure I'm labeled as a seeker even though I see a neurologist for Botox treatments and take Immitrex before ever heading to ER. According to the neurologist, my CT and MRI images are terrifying due to having severe head trauma at age 5. My migraines all center in the same spot with the same symptoms and all center where the damage was done. Stadol is great for migraines I can’t control with Immitrex or other therapies."

9 / 10
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14 Report
  • Tex...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 17, 2018

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have suffered from chronic cluster headaches since the age of 16. I have been on every medication and have had all of the injections out there. This has been my only relief. It has been the only medicine that has given me back my life. I too have fought the preconceived notion that those in the ER with head pain are merely drug seekers. I hope I can keep my prescription, as it has been a miracle worker."

9 / 10
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15 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 23, 2008

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I used this medication years ago for my migraines. Since that time, my husband has joined the Army, and we have moved several times, etc. Each time we do, I have to start all over again with my migraine treatments (I have hemiplegic migraines), and I would give my eye teeth for one of these doctors to just let me take Stadol NS again! It worked so well mainly because even when I was nauseated, I would still 'keep' this medication because it was in the nasal spray form. This medicine was a wonder drug for me... oh, how I wish it could be again."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Gra...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 17, 2016

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "I have severe migraines and trigeminal neuralgia. When I am in pain, there is nothing that has ever helped other than Demerol in shot form. I was prescribed Stadol to try because for some reason they call Demerol a dirty drug and won't hardly prescribe it. (Aren't all pain drugs dirty?) But I used Stadol the first time, and it didn't take all of the pain away but made me extremely irritable and grouchy. My mood was fine and normal before that. I had to use it again later that month. Same thing, doesn't take all the pain away and extreme irritability, grouchy, horrible mood. When it leaves my system, I am back to normal. Am I the only one it does that to? I can't take morphines or triptans. Not sure what to do now."

7 / 10
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18 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 27, 2009

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "My doctor prescribed me this medicine for my migraines. Although it worked great for the pain, it was extremely addictive. I started wanting it all the time, even when I did not have a migraine because it made me feel so good."

9 / 10
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27 Report
  • sli...
  • June 17, 2008

Stadol (butorphanol) for Pain "Stadol works great for migraines. The only bothersome side effect that I've noticed is that after you take it, it doesn't make you really sleepy, but you still feel like you have to close your eyes. Otherwise, this drug is a lifesaver for migraine sufferers."

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 18, 2020

Stadol (butorphanol) for Labor Pain "Gave birth last night. I was given Stadol before the epidural to help with labor pains. I was in a lot of pain so I thought it would help. It did. But I also tripped for hours. It took 2 minutes for me to feel effects. My eyes rolled into the back of my head. I could not open my eyes and apparently I didn't for about 2 hours. I hallucinated, couldn't breathe. Kept forgetting to breathe. Horrible experience. She said it's rare and she's never seen anyone react like I did so I must just be sensitive to it but it was the worst experience. Definitely didn't feel the pain though as I was much too high."

2 / 10
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10 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.