Nalbuphine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Nubain

Pharmacological Mechanism

Mixed κ-opioid agonist + μ-opioid antagonist — same ceiling effect as pentazocine. Used in obstetric analgesia (less neonatal respiratory depression than pure agonists) + procedural pain. Not a controlled substance in the US.

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 3h, IM: 2.4h, SC: 2.4h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 10mg (Range: 5 - 20 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• respiratory