Pentazocine as an Analgesic
Clinical Evaluation
- Leo J. Cass, MD;
- Willem S. Frederik, MD, PhD;
- Jose V. Teodoro, MD
- Boston
- Dr. Cass is with the Harvard University Health Services and chief of medicine at Brooks Hospital, Brookline, Mass. Dr. Frederik is lecturer at Harvard School of Public Health and biostatistician of Harvard University Health Services. Dr. Teodore is with Harvard University Health Services and staff member at Long Island Hospital, Boston.
Abstract
Pentazocine, a morphine antagonist derived from the benzomorphan nucleus, was studied by means of a double-blind clinical investigation in 16 patients having chronic pain. In a 40 mg dose pentazocine approaches the analgesic effectiveness of 20 mg of morphine sulfate and produces basically the same side effects except for a slight increase in the incidence and severity of drowsiness. At 20 mg dosage pentazocine produces a lower incidence of side effects than morphine sulfate 20 mg while still maintaining a fairly high level of pain relief over at least two hours. The discovery of analgesic activity in this drug is important since it is a morphine antagonist and has not yet been found to produce or support tolerance or dependence.
Footnotes
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Read before the annual meeting of the Committee on Drug Addiction and Narcotics of the National Research Council, Ann Arbor, Mich, Feb 16, 1963.
