NALBUPHINE

Use

Nalbuphine (Nubain) is structurally a member of thephenanthrene class of compounds and resembles oxymorphonewith a cyclobutyl methyl group on the nitrogen,equivalent to naloxone’s substitution. It was introduced in1979 as an agonist/antagonist with the hope of becoming aneffective pain reliever with little abuse potential. Used as the sole opioid agent, nalbuphinehas been used successfully to treat the pain of labor,cesarean section, dental extraction, hip replacement, andhysterectomy surgery. Nalbuphine also may have a role intreating opioid-induced pruritus, because it can reverse thepruritus without reversing the analgesic effect when used inlow doses.