Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
ECDD Technical summary
Pentazocine is an opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic. It was reviewed by a WHO review group in 1978, 1981 and 1983 (11, 13, 14). In recommending placement of pentazocine in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention at its meeting in 1983, the WHO review group noted the capacity of pentazocine to produce: (a) a state of dependence; and (b) central nervous system changes, resulting in disturbances in mood and behaviour. In 1984, pentazocine was placed in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention. However, at the Eighth Special Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (75), an extensive debate took place, which resulted in a resolution requesting re-examination of the possibility of scheduling pentazocine under the 1961 Convention. In 1988, at its twenty-fifth meeting, the Committee concluded that scheduling was appropriate and recommended that pentazocine should remain in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention (72).
Recommendation
Pentazocine is a strong «-agonist and has either weak U-antagonist or partial agonist activity. Instead of euphoria, k-agonists produce dysphoric
psychotomimetic effects (disoriented and/or depersonalized feelings). Therefore, the recognition of psychotropic effects of pentazocine in previous assessments is appropriate. Furthermore, INCB has not received any information to suggest that the current control measures applicable to pentazocine are inadequate. The Committee did not therefore recommend critical review.
Pentazocine is an opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic. It was reviewed by a WHO review group in 1978, 1981 and 1983 (11, 13, 14). In recommending placement of pentazocine in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention at its meeting in 1983, the WHO review group noted the capacity of pentazocine to produce: (a) a state of dependence; and (b) central nervous system changes, resulting in disturbances in mood and behaviour. In 1984, pentazocine was placed in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention. However, at the Eighth Special Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (75), an extensive debate took place, which resulted in a resolution requesting re-examination of the possibility of scheduling pentazocine under the 1961 Convention. In 1988, at its twenty-fifth meeting, the Committee concluded that scheduling was appropriate and recommended that pentazocine should remain in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention (72).
Recommendation
Pentazocine is a strong «-agonist and has either weak U-antagonist or partial agonist activity. Instead of euphoria, k-agonists produce dysphoric
psychotomimetic effects (disoriented and/or depersonalized feelings). Therefore, the recognition of psychotropic effects of pentazocine in previous assessments is appropriate. Furthermore, INCB has not received any information to suggest that the current control measures applicable to pentazocine are inadequate. The Committee did not therefore recommend critical review.
ECDD Recommendation
No change in scheduling
Link to full TRS
who_trs_903.pdf1.33 MB