ABSTRACT

This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, and clinically significant drug interactions of levorphanol. Levorphanol appears to be well absorbed following intramuscular injection or oral ingestion. Levorphanol is addicting and habituating. Long-term levorphanol pharmacotherapy, or regular personal use, may result in addiction and habituation. Levorphanol pharmacotherapy commonly has been associated with dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Signs and symptoms of levorphanol overdosage are similar to the signs and symptoms associated with other opiate analgesic overdosage. Levorphanol overdosage requires emergency symptomatic medical support of body systems with attention to increasing levorphanol elimination. Levorphanol primarily elicits its analgesic, CNS depressant, and respiratory depressant actions by binding to the endorphin receptors in the CNS. The respiratory depressant action associated with levorphanol and its potential for elevating cerebrospinal fluid pressure may markedly exaggerate intracranial pressure among these patients.