Home Drug Guide Dezocine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Dezocine

Brand Names Dalgan

Classification

Therapeutic: Analgesic

Pharmacological: Mixed opioid agonist-antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of moderate to severe pain

Mechanism of Action

Dezocine acts as a mixed agonist-antagonist at opioid receptors, primarily stimulating kappa-opioid receptors and antagonizing mu-opioid receptors, resulting in analgesia with potentially fewer side effects compared to pure mu-agonists.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 10 mg every 3-4 hours as needed for pain, not exceeding 40 mg in 24 hours.

Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established; use caution and consider alternative therapies.

Geriatric: Start with lower doses due to increased sensitivity and potential for adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose cautiously, as accumulation may occur.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 3-4 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to dezocine or other opioids.
  • Severe respiratory depression.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, or head injury.
  • Caution in hepatic impairment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Unknown)
  • Dizziness (Unknown)
  • Drowsiness (Unknown)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Respiratory depression (Rare)
  • Hypotension (Rare)
  • Psychological dependence or abuse potential (Potential)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (e.g., sedatives, tranquilizers) may enhance sedative effects.
  • Other opioids may increase risk of adverse effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor pain relief effectiveness, respiratory status, blood pressure, and signs of sedation.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk of respiratory depression
  • Ineffective airway clearance
  • Risk for falls related to sedation and dizziness

Implementation: Administer cautiously, monitor vital signs closely, educate patient about side effects.

Evaluation: Assess pain relief, monitor for adverse effects, document response.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct on proper use, not to exceed prescribed dose.
  • Warn about potential for drowsiness and impairments.
  • Advise to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Report any signs of respiratory difficulty or unusual side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for respiratory depression, especially in opioid-naive patients.

Genetic Factors: Not specifically indicated.

Lab Test Interference: No known significant interference.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Extreme drowsiness, respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, coma.

Treatment: Maintain airway, provide respiratory support, administer opioid antagonists such as naloxone if necessary, supportive care.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.