Pentazocine 361Investigators have documented that people can briefly experience euphoria
after taking the drug. Some users feel more amiable and serene after a dose.
Drawbacks.Unwanted pentazocine actions include rapid heartbeat, blood
pressure changes (up or down), fainting, sweating, confusion, sleepiness,
blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Studies have found that
1% to 10% of persons receiving the drug (especially an injectable pharmaceu-
tical version) have odd psychological reactions such as hallucinations, delu-
sions, or a sense of unreality about the world. The substance can interfere with
decision making and physical movement. Research has shown that driving
skills decline when a person uses the drug, and users should avoid operating
motor vehicles or other dangerous machinery. Because pentazocine has oc-
casionally been associated with seizures, it should be used cautiously by per-
sons prone to that affliction. The substance should also be used cautiously by
people suffering from pancreas malfunction or breathing difficulty. The drug
may be particularly hazardous for asthma sufferers who are overly sensitive
to aspirin. Pentazocine is associated with skin hardening, which can result in
extensive surgical removal of affected areas, to be replaced with skin grafts.
Case reports tell of the drug provoking not only skin lesions but internal
lesions in the digestive tract. Prolonged use of the substance can also cause
muscle destruction that cripples a person’s ability to move arms and legs. The
compound can dangerously reduce white blood cell levels. Rat experiments
indicate the drug may provoke attacks of porphyria, a body chemistry disease
that can make people violent and sensitive to light.
One group of researchers documented that pentazocine increased the heart’s
workload by 22% in cardiac disease patients. Another group found that after
a heart attack the drug increases blood pressure and the heart’s need for oxy-
gen and concluded that pentazocine is dangerous for heart attack patients.
Not all authorities agree with that conclusion, however; some say that such
adverse cardiac effects can be avoided through careful dosage, and other opin-
ion says the drug is preferable to morphine for heart attack patients.
Abuse factors.Some abusers inject powder from oral pentazocine tablets.
Oral pentazocine tablets contain ingredients not intended for introduction into
the bloodstream, and injection can be fatal even though the digestive system
can handle the same ingredients without difficulty.
Pentazocine and the antihistamine-anesthetic tripelennamine are a common
illicit drug combination called Ts & Blues, sometimes used as a substitute for
heroin (“T” standing for Talwin and “Blues” for the antihistamine tablets’
color). The combination can create more euphoria than pentazocine alone pro-
duces and reduce the discontent caused by some doses of pentazocine. Users
report development of memory trouble. Lung damage is a classic consequence
of the combination, promoted by injecting oral formats of the drugs. Users
have been hospitalized with chest pain, anxiety, spasms, sweating, nausea,
and lightheadedness. Fainting and seizures are less common problems. Kidney
damage has been noted. Other antihistamines can also be dangerous to use
with pentazocine.
Pentazocine tolerance and dependence can occur. After daily doses were
given to monkeys for six weeks, mild withdrawal symptoms appeared when
the animals received nalorphine, a substance that provokes withdrawal signs