PENTAZOCINE ABUSE INDUCED FIBROMYOSITIS

Pentazocine is a synthetically prepared opioid analgesic drug of benzomorphan class, used to treat moderate to severe pain. As with all opioids, Pentazocine also has abuse potential. When abused, it can lead to lot of complications like skin fibrosis, skin ulceration, abnormal skin pigmentation and fibromyositis. We report a case of Pentazocine abuse induced fibromyositis in a 40 year old lady who used it for her insomnia for 11 years. She had severe diffuse fibromyositis from shoulder to ankle resulting in significant lifelong disability and bedridden state. This case emphasizes the significance of the vigilance needed in pharmaceutical industry especially in India while dispensing opioid analgesics, as almost all the cases of Pentazocine abuse induced complications were reported only from India after 1985.