Naloxone/pentazocine and Alcohol/Food Interactions

The following interaction applies only if you are using naloxone in an injectable formulation: naloxone can reverse the effects of pentazocine. If you are a physically dependent patient you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, fever, runny nose, sneezing, nervousness, irritability, shivering, and abdominal cramps. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with pentazocine. This may increase nervous system side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment in thinking and judgment. In severe cases, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, or even death may occur. With certain long-acting formulations of narcotic pain medication, consumption of alcohol may also cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high blood levels that may be potentially lethal. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. Do not use more than the recommended dose of pentazocine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

The following interaction applies only if you are using naloxone in an injectable formulation: naloxone can reverse the effects of pentazocine. If you are a physically dependent patient you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, fever, runny nose, sneezing, nervousness, irritability, shivering, and abdominal cramps. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

MONITOR: Smoking cessation may lead to elevated plasma concentrations and enhanced pharmacologic effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 (and possibly CYP450 1A1) and/or certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., flecainide, pentazocine). One proposed mechanism is related to the loss of CYP450 1A2 and 1A1 induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke; when smoking cessation agents are initiated and smoking stops, the metabolism of certain drugs may decrease leading to increased plasma concentrations. The mechanism by which smoking cessation affects narrow therapeutic index drugs that are not known substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 is unknown. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown as clinical data are lacking.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, caution is advisable if smoking cessation agents are used concomitantly with drugs that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1 and/or those with a narrow therapeutic range. Patients receiving smoking cessation agents may require periodic dose adjustments and closer clinical and laboratory monitoring of medications that are substrates of CYP450 1A2 or 1A1.

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

MONITOR: Smoking tobacco may decrease the plasma concentrations and effects of pentazocine by enhancing its metabolic clearance.

MANAGEMENT: The possibility of reduced therapeutic effects of pentazocine should be considered in smokers.