Butorphanol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

Applies to butorphanol: nasal spray. Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Serious side effects of Butorphanol

Along with its needed effects, butorphanol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking butorphanol:

• Cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• dizziness (severe)
• drowsiness (severe)
• nervousness, restlessness, or weakness (severe)
• small pupils
• slow heartbeat
• slow or troubled breathing

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking butorphanol:

More common

• Difficulty in breathing
• fever
• nosebleeds
• ringing or buzzing in ears
• runny nose
• sinus congestion
• sneezing
• sore throat

Less common or rare

• Blurred vision
• congestion in chest
• cough
• difficulty in urinating
• difficult or painful breathing
• ear pain
• fainting
• hallucinations
• itching
• sinus congestion with pain
• skin rash or hives

Other side effects of Butorphanol

Some side effects of butorphanol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Confusion
• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• flushing
• headache
• irritation inside nose
• loss of appetite
• nasal congestion
• nausea or vomiting
• sweating or clammy feeling
• trouble in sleeping
• unpleasant taste
• weakness (severe)

Less common or rare

• Anxious feeling
• behavior changes
• burning, crawling, or prickling feeling on skin
• false sense of well-being
• feeling hot
• floating feeling
• nervousness, sometimes with restlessness
• pounding heartbeat
• stomach pain
• strange dreams
• trembling

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• Anxious feeling
• diarrhea
• nervousness and restlessness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to butorphanol: injectable solution, nasal spray.

General

The most commonly reported adverse events have included somnolence, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Nasal congestion has been reported with use of the nasal spray.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Nasal congestion (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Epistaxis, nasal congestion, nasal irritation, rhinitis, sinus congestion, sinusitis, nose pain, cough, dyspnea

Frequency not reported: Shallow breathing^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Anaphylaxis has been reported with ingredients contained in butorphanol nasal spray.

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, anorexia, constipation, dry mouth, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (49%), dizziness (23%)

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, lethargy, confusion, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremor, unpleasant taste

Postmarketing reports: Serotonin syndrome^[Ref]

Concomitant use of opioids and serotonergic drugs have been associated with reports of serotonin syndrome.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Abnormal dreams, agitation, dysphoria, hallucinations, hostility, withdrawal symptoms, and depression have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, euphoria, nervousness

Frequency not reported: Abnormal dreams, agitation, dysphoria, hallucinations, hostility, withdrawal symptoms, depression

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, vasodilation, palpitations

Frequency not reported: Syncope, edema, chest pain, tachycardia^[Ref]

Syncope, chest pain, tachycardia, and edema have been reported in less than 1% of patients.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rash/hives have been reported in less than 1% of patients.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Rash/hives^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, sensation of heat, pain, ear pain, tinnitus^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Impaired urination

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency

Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than one month of use; Cases of androgen deficiency have occurred with chronic use of opioids.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer