Butorphanol

Uses

  • Acute pain
  • Pain during labor
  • Preoperative sedation
  • Supplement to balanced anesthesia

Adverse Effects

Considerations for PT

  1. Consider risk of dizziness and drowsiness and potential impact on falls risk.Consider risk of dizziness and drowsiness and potential impact on falls risk.
  2. Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention

Route of Administration

  1. Intramuscular (IM)Intramuscular (IM)
  2. Intranasal Intranasal
  3. Intravenous (IV)Intravenous (IV)

Mechanism of Action

Agonist of kappa-opioid receptors and partial agonist of mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, causing:

  • Inhibition of ascending pain pathways
  • Alteration of pain perception
  • Alteration of response to pain
  • Potential respiratory depression and sedation similar to other opioids

Drug Dynamics

Time to Peak Effect

30 minutes to 60 minutes

Duration of Action

3 hours to 4 hours

Time to Onset

1 minute to 15 minutes

Resources

*Some links accessed via VCH Intranet

Last updated: April 30, 2026