Indications: moderate to severe pain; obstetric analgesia; perioperative analgesia.

Cautions: As for morphine salts; not suitable for severe continuing pain.

Contra-indications: As for morphine salts; severe renal impairment.

Side Effects: As for morphine salts; occasional convulsions.

Dose: Acute pain, by SC or IM injection, 25-100 mg, repeated after 4 hours,

Child, by IM injection, 0.5-2.0 mg/kg. By slow IV injection, 25-50 mg, repeated after 4 hours. Obstetric analgesia, by SC or IM injection, 50-100 mg, repeated 1- 3 hours later if necessary; max. 400 mg in 24 hours.

Note: In the postoperative period, the patient should be closely monitored for pain relief as well as for side effects especially respiratory depression.