Butorphanol and Dizziness: What Users Say

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

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."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

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 :)"

• Lys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "They gave me this Stadol rubbish for labor contractions. 5 secs later my eyes were actually rolling into my head, it felt like they were spinning. I was screaming, flipping out. I was in so much fear I passed out and didn't remember anything after that."

• Ckb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2018

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "Horrible experience. Not a good choice for somebody with panic attacks or anxiety. Makes you extremely dizzy, it was terrifying for me because I didn't know what was happening. Pain relief was minimal."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2015

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "I was admitted into the hospital at 31 weeks for almost 3 weeks for preeclampsia and PIH. I would get terrible migraines and was so uncomfortable from constantly being in bed and switching from my left side to right side. I was given Stadol through IV, and let me say it is amazing! When given intravenously, it works within seconds. I got really dizzy and felt like I was floating. I wasn't in pain anymore and slept like a baby. This medicine is great for pain, I don't think I would've made it through my hospital stay without it!"

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2021

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "Quite possibly the worst thing I've ever taken. Within seconds, I could feel my eyes rolling, and the room was spinning. I felt like I wanted to sleep but felt like I didn't know how to breathe, and if I had slept, I would have stopped breathing. I just laid there waiting for it to be over. I threw up three times and finally started to feel the effects wear off. I will never take this during labor ever again. It gave me so much anxiety..."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2016

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "I was prescribed this when I was having preterm labor contractions. They said it would help me relax and sleep and let my body calm down enough for the contractions to stop on their own. Well... The contractions stopped, but not until after I tried to convince my husband I was a stegosaurus. I don't remember much, but I do remember feeling very dizzy and nauseous until I eventually passed out. It's not something I will take again, but it did do its job of pain relief."

• Mik...
• January 21, 2021

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "I was so upset during my second delivery when they gave me Stadol again after the horrible experience with this drug during my first delivery. Same EXACT issue: it did NOTHING for the pain, it made me feel drunk and completely disoriented, and yet I could feel EVERYTHING. When it wore off, pain levels were no different, except I didn’t feel completely out of control. During labor, I couldn’t focus on my breathing, I couldn’t speak clearly - it was AWFUL. Second delivery, I told the hospital NO Stadol, it was in my birth plan directive. No epidural, no Stadol. My doc didn’t make it in time, and I started feeling really woozy and the room spinning. I asked my husband - tell me they didn’t give me Stadol! Sure enough, they had. Grrrrrrr! They said “just in case I wanted an epidural.” I was so angry."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2016

For Labor Pain "I have been stuck in prodromal labor for over two weeks, and after a lot of talking into and lack of sleep, I agreed with my midwife to try 1 mg (only half of the normal dose) of Stadol with Zofran to ensure that I get some rest. Not only did I not rest, but my contractions got stronger (still not productive) and more painful, the room was spinning, and I still threw up for the duration. It kicked up contractions to 2 minutes long with only 30 seconds in between on top of the vomiting and dizziness. Not to mention that I became very difficult to deal with and talk to at this point. It made a bad and emotionally trying day even worse. I will never use or recommend this drug."

• All...
• January 26, 2023

Butorphanol for Labor Pain "As soon as they pushed it into my IV, I was immediately extremely dizzy and hallucinating. Can’t say it relieved my pain, but I was so distracted by the hallucinations that the pain was not in the forefront of my mind. Hallucinated rainbow circles bouncing around the room and had the “spins,” as if I were way too drunk. It wore off within 1-2 hours. Generally unhelpful for my labor pain, but not a completely negative experience. Just not what I needed or was expecting."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2009

For Pain "I was recently prescribed this medication for migraines. I used it for the first time a few days ago for a migraine that lasted 11 hours. I took four doses over that time and experienced no relief at all. In fact, it made me feel even worse - all spacey, sick, and dizzy - and not in a nice way. The only painkiller that has ever worked for my migraines was Demerol, and I don't see my doctor giving me that any time soon. Such a shame since butorphanol sounded so good, being a strong narcotic nasal spray. I was really hoping it would work."