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Introduction About NORPHIN
NORPHIN contains Buprenorphine which belongs to the group of medicines called Opioid Analgesics. It is used to provide relief from moderate to severe pain in affected individuals.
Pain is an uncomfortable sensation in the body that stems from the activation of the nervous system which generally occurs as an annoying/debilitating sensation, characterized by symptoms such as sharp, dull, throbbing, pinching, stinging, and/or burning sensation in the affected individuals.
It is not recommended for use if you are allergic to Buprenorphine or other opiates (having morphine-like action). Before receiving NORPHIN, inform your doctor if you have breathing problems, suffer from fit/seizures, depression, renal impairment, liver problems or had undergone cardiac surgery.
Opioids can lead to addiction, particularly when used for a long period of time and it may cause withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, agitation, palpitation, etc.) when stop receiving this medicine suddenly.
NORPHIN is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women, including infants (aged below 6 months). It should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged above 65 years). Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
The common side effects associated with the use of NORPHIN are constipation, headache, nausea, urinary retention and sedation. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.
Uses Of NORPHIN
- Provides relief from moderate to severe pain
How NORPHIN Works
NORPHIN works by blocking certain receptors (responsible for pain) in the brain and spinal cord which leads to the blockade of pain transmission thus providing relief from moderate/severe pain in affected individuals.
How to use NORPHIN
NORPHIN will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein as a slow intravenous injection or into the muscle as an intramuscular injection. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Side Effects Of NORPHIN
Common
- constipation
- headache
- nausea
- urinary retention
- sedation
Rare
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects while receiving NORPHIN:
- signs of an allergic reaction (such as sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing, swelling in the eyelids, face, lips, rash, and/or itching)
- signs of respiratory depression such as breathing more slowly/weakly
- signs of low blood pressure such as feeling faint
How To Manage Side Effects
Constipation:
Try to eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, cereals and drink plenty of water. If this does not help, inform your doctor for receiving alternate management for constipation.
Headache:
Drink ample amount of water and avoid skipping meals. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress-free. Apply pain relieving balm on your forehead if necessary. Inform your doctor if the symptom does not improve.
Nausea:
Stick to simple meals while receiving this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Inform your doctor if the symptom does not improve.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
NORPHIN is not generally recommended for use during pregnancy or in women planning for pregnancy unless it is considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Breastfeeding
NORPHIN is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it may pass through breast milk and harm the baby. Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel drowsy, sleepy or dizzy after receiving NORPHIN.
Alcohol
Avoid consumption of alcohol while receiving NORPHIN because it may cause drowsiness. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of alcohol withdrawal symptoms (such as agitation, anxiety, shaking, and/or sweating) and also in patients who are addicted to alcohol. Consult a doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Liver
NORPHIN should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Allergy
Do not receive NORPHIN if you are allergic to Buprenorphine, other opiates (having morphine-like action) or any other ingredients of this medicine. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.
Lungs
NORPHIN should be used with caution in patients with breathing problems. Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Heart Disease
NORPHIN should be used with caution in patients who had undergone cardiac surgery. Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
Others
Before receiving NORPHIN, inform your doctor if you:
- suffer from seizures, fits or convulsions
- are or were addicted to opioids, prescription medicines or illegal drugs
- require more medicine to get the same level of pain relief or get addicted to the medicine
- have depression or other conditions that are managed with antidepressants
Use in pediatrics:
NORPHIN is not recommended for use in infants (below 6 months of age). Your child’s doctor will administer the right dose depending on your child’s age, body weight and condition (between 6 to 12 years of age). Consult your child’s doctor before administration of NORPHIN to your child.
Use in geriatrics:
NORPHIN should be used with caution in elderly patients. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug Interactions:
Before receiving NORPHIN, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- medicines containing gestodene (a hormone used as a birth control pill in women)
- antibiotics (medicines used to manage infections) Ex. troleandomycin, rifampicin
- medicines used to manage fungal infections (Ex. ketoconazole)
- medicines used to manage depression (Ex. norfluoxetine, moclobemide, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, venlafaxine, amitriptyline, doxepin, trimipramine) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as tranylcypromine, phenelzine and moclobemide
- medicines used to manage HIV infection such as protease inhibitors (Ex. ritonavir, indinavir and saquinavir)
- medicines used for epilepsy (Ex. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital)
- other opioids (medicines used to manage pain/cough) Ex. morphine, dextropropoxyphene, codeine, dextromethorphan, noscapine
- medicines used to induce sleep such as tranquilisers (Ex. alprazolam), hypnotic/ sedatives (Ex. zolpidem)
Overdosage:
NORPHIN will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Buprenorphine |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Opioid Analgesics |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Moderate to severe pain |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Transdermal Patch, Injection |
More Information
- Store NORPHIN below 30°C
FAQs About NORPHIN
1. What is NORPHIN used for?
NORPHIN is used to provide relief from moderate to severe pain in affected individuals which is an uncomfortable sensation in the body that stems from the activation of the nervous system, generally occurring as an annoying/debilitating sensation characterized by symptoms such as a sharp, dull, throbbing, pinching, stinging, and/or burning sensation in affected individuals.
2. What are the common side effects of NORPHIN?
The common side effects associated with the use of NORPHIN are constipation, headache, nausea, urinary retention and sedation. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.
3. Who should avoid receiving NORPHIN?
NORPHIN is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to buprenorphine. It is also not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women, including infants (aged below 6 months of age). Consult your doctor before receiving NORPHIN.
4. Does NORPHIN cause addiction?
NORPHIN leads to addiction particularly when used for long periods of time. Addiction can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop receiving this medicine suddenly. Your doctor may safely use this medicine by determining the duration of the management and deciding when to stop administering the medicine.
5. Can NORPHIN be used during breastfeeding?
NORPHIN is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it may pass through the milk and harm the baby. Consult your doctor for advice before receiving the medicine.
References
1. KD. Tripathi. Opioid Analgesics and Antagonists. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page 482.
2. Christopher Welsh and Adela Valadez-Meltzer. Buprenorphine. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. December 2005. [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2994593/
3. C W Hand, J W Sear, J Uppington, M J Ball, H J McQuay, R A Moore. Buprenorphine disposition in patients with renal impairment: single and continuous dosing, with special reference to metabolites. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubMed.gov. [Revised in March 1990] [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2328175/
4. Alexander Dufort and Zainab Samaan. Problematic Opioid Use Among Older Adults: Epidemiology, Adverse Outcomes and Treatment Considerations. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. September 2021. [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8421190/
5. Rachna Kumar; Omar Viswanath; Abdolreza Saadabadi. Buprenorphine. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Statpearls [Internet]. May 2022. [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459126/
6. S Grill, C Lasalle, M T Cousin. The use of buprenorphine in the postoperative period in heart surgery. Evaluation of its efficacy and tolerance. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubMed.gov. [Revised in March 1989] [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2731059/
7. Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in November 2020] [Accessed on 12th September 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1142.pdf
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