Fortral

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How does it work?

Pentazocine belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally occurring pain reducing chemicals (endorphins). They combine with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt.

What is it used for?

- Moderate to severe pain

Warning!

- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

Use with caution in

- Asthma
- Breathing problems
- Cholecystitis - inflammation of the gall bladder.
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Elderly people
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Epilepsy
- High blood pressure
- Hypothyroidism
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
- Insufficient production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency)
- Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- People currently taking monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants
- The period immediately following a heart attack (acute phase - myocardial infarction)

Not to be used in

- Alcoholism
- Head injury
- Heart failure
- Increased pressure in the brain (raised intracranial pressure)
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Sudden asthma attack

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine.

Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Changes in mood
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Confusion
- Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
- Sweating
- Nightmares
- Addiction to the medicine (dependence)
- Skin rashes
- Fits (convulsions)
- Visual disturbances
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations)
- A state of well-being, optimism and cheerfulness (euphoria)
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Disorientation
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. . For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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