Butorphanol is a generic, morphinan-type synthetic opioid analgesic. While manufactured by Novex, Mylan, Apotex and Roxane, it is available under such trade names as Moradol and Beforal and the veterinary trade names such as Buturphic, Dolorex, Morphasol, Torbugesic and Torbutrol. Aside from the human applications of butorphanol, it is also used as a narcotic for pain relief in horses.
Butorphanol tartate is a white crystalline substance and is often administered intravenously according to prescribed dosages. It is also available in a spray, which has led to the increase of its abuse. The drug is highly addictive and is not controlled in most states in the United States.
Abuses of Butorphanol (Stadol)
Stadol is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, a company that believed the drug to possess a very low risk of addiction as compared to other narcotics used to treat pain. As a result of these claims, the FDA allowed practitioners to widely prescribe the medication with little or no safeguards. In reality, this narcotic is extremely addictive and instances of abuse are widespread.
Medical professionals strongly advise the application of dose and prescribing limitations, appropriate directions for use and frequent monitoring to minimize the risk of abuse and physical dependence with this drug. Anyone with a history of drug abuse or patients receiving the drug on a continuous basis for an extended period of time is at high risk of addiction and abuse with butorphanol.
Effects of Butorphanol (Stadol)
Anytime butorphanol is taken without a prescription or beyond the prescribed amount, an individual runs the risk of addiction or even an allergic reaction. If a person is allergic to the drug, they can break out in hives, experience difficulty breathing or the swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
More serious side effects that can emerge, aside from allergic reactions, include pounding or uneven heartbeats, increased blood pressure, shallow breathing, cold and clammy skin, problems with urination, tremors, confusion, feeling like they are floating, a feeling of light-headedness or fainting, drowsiness, constipation, nausea or vomiting, warmth or redness under the skin, dry mouth, blurred vision or ringing in the ear.
If an individual takes too much butorphanol or Stadol, he or she can have a fatal reaction. Overdose effects can include extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, confusion, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, shallow breathing, fainting or breathing that stops altogether.
Withdrawal of Butorphanol (Stadol)
Any prolonged or continuous use of butorphanol or Stadol can result in a physical dependence on or tolerance of the drug. If the cessation of use is abrupt, patients with a physical dependence – and even those taking it regularly for medical reasons – can experience symptoms of withdrawal.
As butorphanol can be habit-forming, withdrawal symptoms can occur if the drug is discontinued. These symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Tremulousness
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Cold sweats
• Insomnia
• Confusion
• Incoordination
• Hallucinations
• Aches and pains
• Cold- or flu-like symptoms
• Goose bumps
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Pain
• Respiratory problems
• Rigors (fever chills)
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sweating
Treatment of Butorphanol (Stadol) Addiction
Butorphanol, or Stadol, falls into the opiate category, making it very difficult to treat. Opiate addiction is often marked by a long-term mental and physical addiction to the drug, making it that much harder to successfully treat a patient dealing with this addiction.
A patient struggling with a butorphanol or Stadol addiction must experience, detoxification to cleanse the body of this drug and must be done under the care of a physician. A comfortable detox using withdrawal medications is highly recommended for butporphanol, or Stadol, abuse. A quality treatment center will do a full physical on a patient and have a board-certified addiction psychiatrist determine the right medications for comfortable detox.
This method is used to correct the chemical imbalances in the individual suffering with an addiction and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care to address cravings for the drug. When this approach is made the priority, the center is able to identify the reason for the addiction, while treating the whole person.