ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/nalbuphine
US brand names:Nubain
Nalbuphine is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg IV q3-4h in dogs, per KuKanich B, Wiese AJ. Chapter 11: Opioids. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:207-226. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.951 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Kappa opioid receptor agonist and mu opioid receptor antagonist. Provides moderate analgesia with ceiling effect on respiratory depression. Does not increase biliary pressure.
Not a controlled substance despite opioid activity. Ceiling analgesic effect. Will reverse mu-agonist analgesia if given concurrently. Used for moderate pain and to partially reverse mu-agonist side effects.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q3-4h | Moderate | KuKanich B, Wiese AJ. Chapter 11: Opioids. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:207-226. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.951 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 0.25–0.5 mg/kg | q3-4h | Weak | KuKanich B, Wiese AJ. Chapter 11: Opioids. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ, Greene SA, Robertson SA, eds. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2015:207-226. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.951 (2026-08-01). |
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