ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/pentazocine
US brand names:Talwin
Pentazocine is dosed at 1–3 mg/kg IM q4h in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Kappa opioid receptor agonist and mu opioid receptor partial agonist/antagonist. Provides analgesia with lower abuse potential than pure mu agonists. Ceiling effect on respiratory depression.
Schedule IV controlled substance. Ceiling effect on analgesia limits utility for severe pain. May precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Psychotomimetic effects at high doses.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
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.
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.