Levorphanol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 13, 2024.

Applies to levorphanol: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of treatment. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness or make you less alert. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Signs of an overdose include: dark urine, difficult or troubled breathing, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, nausea or vomiting, pain in the upper stomach, pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, pinpoint pupils of the eyes, or yellow eyes or skin.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve dizziness or lightheadedness.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not change your dose or suddenly stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if your child has the following symptoms: abnormal sleep pattern, diarrhea, high-pitched cry, irritability, shakiness or tremor, weight loss, vomiting, or failure to gain weight.

Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of levorphanol

Along with its needed effects, levorphanol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levorphanol:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking levorphanol:

Symptoms of overdose

• chest pain or discomfort
• constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• difficult or troubled breathing
• difficulty with sleeping
• dilated neck veins
• disorientation
• drowsiness to profound loss of consciousness
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• headache
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• no muscle tone or movement
• not breathing
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• weight gain

Other side effects of levorphanol

Some side effects of levorphanol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to levorphanol: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The adverse effects of this drug are generally similar to the adverse effects observed with other narcotic analgesics including nausea, vomiting, altered mood and mentations, pruritus, flushing, difficulties in urination, constipation, and biliary spasm.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Apnea, cyanosis, hypoventilation

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Coma, convulsions, dizziness, lethargy, hypokinesia, dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, CNS stimulation
• Postmarketing reports: Serotonin syndrome^[Ref]

Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis has been reported with ingredients contained in the levorphanol tablets.

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrest, shock, hypotension, arrhythmias including bradycardia and tachycardia, palpitations, extra-systoles^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, biliary tract spasm, abdominal pain, dry mouth^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Urinary retention, difficulty urinating^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Pruritus, urticaria, rash, sweating^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Suicide attempt, depression, confusion, abnormal dreams, abnormal thinking, nervousness, drug withdrawal, personality disorder, amnesia, insomnia

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Kidney failure

Endocrine

• Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency

Cases of adrenal insufficiency and androgen deficiency have been reported with opioid use. Adrenal insufficiency has more often been reported following use of greater than 1 month. Androgen deficiency has occurred with chronic opioid use.

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal vision, pupillary disorder, diplopia

See also:

Further information

Levorphanol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer