Pentazocine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Talwin

Pharmacological Mechanism

Mixed κ-opioid agonist + weak μ-opioid antagonist — mid-strength analgesic with ceiling effect on respiratory depression. Dysphoric / hallucinogenic at higher doses (κ-mediated). Schedule IV; less commonly used now.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 3h, IV: 3h, IM: 3h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 50 mg (Range: 50–100 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• respiratory

Pathways It Modulates

• Opioid receptor signaling (activator) — κ-agonist + μ partial agonist/antagonist

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 441278
• Formula: C19H27NO
• Molecular weight: 285.43 g/mol
• InChIKey: VOKSWYLNZZRQPF-GDIGMMSISA-N
• SMILES: C[C@H]1[C@H]2CC3=C([C@@]1(CCN2CC=C(C)C)C)C=C(C=C3)O

References

• PMID 923183