Indications & Dose:
Antitussive: 0.1-0.1 mg/kg IV, IM, SC; 0.55-1.1 mg/kg PO
Analgesic: 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IV, IM (only lasts for 30-45 minutes and very prone to ceiling effect)
Sedation: 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IV, IM in conjunction with another agent lasting 2-4 hours
Continuous Rate Infusion: 0.2-0.3 mg/kg bolus IV, then 0.1-0.4 mg/kg/hr
Opioid Reversal: 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV
Mechanism of Action:
Mixed agonist-antagonist synthetic opioid
Primarily κ-agonist activity provides analgesic and sedative properties
Minimal μ-receptor activity provides antagonism of other opioid classes
Precautions:
Dose reduction should be strongly considered in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency or that have the MDR1 gene
