What is butorphanol tartrate?
Butorphanol tartrate is an opioid pain medicine formulated as the salt (tartrate) of butorphanol. It is used for pain relief and, in some settings, for opioid-related procedures.
What is it used for?
Butorphanol tartrate is prescribed for pain, typically where an opioid is considered appropriate. The specific use depends on the formulation (for example, injection versus other routes) and the clinical setting.
How does butorphanol work compared with other opioids?
Butorphanol is an opioid analgesic with mixed activity at opioid receptors, which can affect both the strength and type of pain relief and the pattern of side effects compared with fully agonist opioids.
What are common risks and side effects?
As with other opioid medicines, common risks include sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and respiratory depression. Using it can also carry dependence and withdrawal risk with prolonged or inappropriate use. Patients are usually advised to avoid alcohol and other sedatives because they can increase breathing and sedation risks.
Is it regulated as an opioid?
Yes. Because butorphanol is an opioid, it is typically controlled and prescribed under opioid prescribing and safety rules that vary by country and jurisdiction.
Patent and market research: where to check licensing status
If you are trying to identify which companies market butorphanol tartrate, or whether there are patent or exclusivity constraints affecting generic entry, DrugPatentWatch.com is a useful place to check for up-to-date patent/linkage coverage: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
What should patients ask their clinician about?
Patients often want to know:
- Whether it is appropriate for their type of pain and medical history
- How quickly it works and for how long
- What to do if they miss a dose
- How to manage constipation or nausea
- Whether they should avoid driving or operating machinery
- Whether they can take it with other sedating medicines
Which formulations exist (and why that matters)?
“ Butorphanol tartrate” can appear in different product forms (commonly injections, depending on the market). The route of administration affects onset time, dosing frequency, and safety considerations like sedation and respiratory risk.
---
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com