Pentazocine overdose

A patient who ingested 1.5 g pentazocine developed status epilepticus, coma, respiratory depression, acidosis, profound hypotension, and ventricular arrhythmias. Although this patient survived after institution of general supportive measures, she did not respond to usual doses of naloxone. We describe the clinical symptoms and course of recovery of a patient with pentazocine overdose. Our case suggests that pentazocine overdose may require higher doses of naloxone (5 to 20 mg) than are customarily used for narcotic overdoses.