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Research Article| Volume 8, ISSUE 1, P67-74, January 1990

Pentazocine (Talwin®) intoxication: Report of 57 cases

  • Kathryn R. Challoner
    Correspondence
    Reprint address: Kathryn R. Challoner, MD, LAC/USC Medical Center-Room 1102, 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
    Affiliations
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center and University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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  • Margaret M. McCarron
    Affiliations
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center and University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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  • Edward J. Newton
    Affiliations
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center and University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(90)90391-8
Pentazocine (Talwin®) intoxication: Report of 57 cases
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      Abstract

      Overdose of pentazocine (Talwin®), an agonist/antagonist opioid analgesic, is relatively uncommon. Fifty-seven cases occurring over ten years are reported. Twenty-three patients (40%) had ingested only pentazocine and did not have the classic opioid toxidrome of CNS and respiratory depression with miosis. Most patients were awake, and no patient had a respiratory rate below 12/minute. Other findings included: grand mal seizures, hypertension, hypotonia, dysphoria, hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. Eleven of 23 patients received IV naloxone (0.42–2.4 mg), but only two showed improvement.
      Thirty-four patients (60%) had coingested pentazocine with one to five additional substances. Patients who had ingested pentazocine with alcohol, a sedative/hypnotic drug, or an antihistamine, showed increased toxicity, including apnea, deep coma, and recurrent seizures. One patient developed opioid pulmonary edema. One patient died. Three of five patients with coma and inadequate respirations responded to IV naloxone in doses of 0.4 to 1.2 mg.

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      Article info

      Publication history

      Accepted: August 8, 1989
      Received in revised form: August 7, 1989
      Received: November 1, 1988

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(90)90391-8

      Copyright

      © 1990 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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