Type of medicine: narcotic analgesic (painkiller)
Generic and brand names: butorphanol, nasal
This medicine is a nasal spray used to treat pain, including migraine headaches.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use the nasal spray exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more sprays or use the spray more often than prescribed. Too much of this medicine can cause trouble breathing and extreme drowsiness.
To use the nasal spray:
This is not an ordinary nasal spray. Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children, and do not confuse it with sprays used for nasal congestion. If you are not sure how to use the spray, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
This medicine is used as needed and you may not be on a dosing schedule. However, if your healthcare provider has directed you to use this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, confusion, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, coma, breathing that stops.
This medicine may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.
You may need to take this medicine for a long time. If you need to take this medicine for more than a few days, do not stop taking it suddenly. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
This medicine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may lessen this effect. Also, drinking alcohol may increase this effect.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
People over 65 years of age may be more sensitive to this medicine and may experience more side effects (especially dizziness). Because the dosage for older people is less, follow your healthcare provider's directions very carefully.
This medicine may cause a stuffy nose. If this becomes a problem, ask your healthcare provider if you can use a nasal decongestant. Use other medicines only with your healthcare provider's approval.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trouble breathing, severe drowsiness or dizziness, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, hallucinations, confusion.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, stuffy nose, trouble sleeping loss of appetite, constipation, nervousness, sweating, flushing, ringing in the ears, tremor.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not use any other nasal sprays while you are using this medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
