Talwin Side Effects

Generic Name: pentazocine

Note: This document contains side effect information about pentazocine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Talwin.

For the Consumer

Applies to pentazocine: injection solution

Along with its needed effects, pentazocine (the active ingredient contained in Talwin) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pentazocine:

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chest pain
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• painful or difficult urination
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swelling or puffiness of the face
• swollen glands
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
• blue-green to black skin discoloration
• bluish lips or skin
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• cough
• cracked, dry, or scaly skin
• decrease in the frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• depression
• difficult or troubled breathing
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast or slow heartbeat
• fast, weak pulse
• flushed skin
• hardening or thickening of the skin
• headache
• increased sweating
• irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness
• nervousness
• pain, redness, or sloughing of the skin at the injection site
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pounding in the ears
• rapid breathing
• small lumps under the skin at the injection site
• stinging at the injection site
• sweating
• swelling of the lower legs or arms
• tightness in the chest
• very slow breathing
• weight gain

Some side effects of pentazocine 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:

More common

• False or unusual sense of well-being
• nausea
• vomiting

Rare

• Change in taste
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
• double vision
• seeing double seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• stomach cramps
• trouble sleeping
• uncontrolled eye movements

Incidence not known

• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• difficulty in focusing the eyes
• disturbed dreams
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• excitement
• hearing loss
• irritability
• relaxed and calm
• sleepiness
• trouble sleeping
• weakness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to pentazocine: injectable solution

General

The most commonly occurring adverse reactions have included nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, vomiting, and euphoria.

Dermatologic

Postmarketing reports: Soft tissue induration, nodules and cutaneous depressions at injection sites; ulceration (sloughing), severe sclerosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues and, rarely, underlying muscle; diaphoresis, sting on injection, flushed skin including plethora, dermatitis including pruritus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis, facial edema, toxic epidermal necrolysis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Serotonin syndrome has been reported during concomitant use of opioids with serotonergic drugs.^[Ref]

Postmarketing reports: Dizziness, lightheadedness, sedation, headache, weakness, flushing, syncope, tremor, paresthesia

Opioids:
Postmarketing reports: Serotonin syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Postmarketing reports: Depression, euphoria, confusion, disorientation, disturbed dreams, insomnia, irritability, excitement, hallucinations^[Ref]

Respiratory

Postmarketing reports: Respiratory depression, dyspnea, transient apnea (in infants whose mothers received this drug during labor)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Postmarketing reports: Circulatory depression, shock, hypertension, tachycardia, syncope^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Postmarketing reports: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, taste alteration, diarrhea and cramps^[Ref]

Hematologic

Depression of the white blood cell count is usually reversible.^[Ref]

Postmarketing reports: Depression of the white blood cell count (especially granulocytes), moderate transient eosinophilia^[Ref]

Other

Postmarketing reports: Tinnitus, chills^[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Visual blurring and focusing difficulty, blurred vision, diplopia, miosis, nystagmus^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Postmarketing reports: Urinary retention, alteration in rate or strength of labor contractions^[Ref]

Endocrine

Opioids:
Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, Androgen deficiency

Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, generally use greater than 1 month. Cases of androgen deficiency have been reported with chronic opioid use.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer