Stadol NS (butorphanol) is synthetic opiate nasal spray that is used as a pain killer. Stadol was believed by the manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb to have a very low risk of addiction as compared to other narcotics used to treat pain. Because of these claims of an extremely low potential for abuse and addiction, the FDA allowed physicians to widely prescribe Stadol with little or no safeguards.

Unfortunately, Stadol has been found to be extremely addictive and over the last few years the FDA has reports of severe addictions and has linked Stadol to several deaths and serious side effects. In fact, 2mg of butorphanol is equivalent to 10 mg of morphine and has similar additive qualities.

Safe Nasal Spray?

The company initially pushed the drugs non-addictive benefits to FDA and it was widely prescribed. The company reversed course at the FDA in February 1995 when it asked the FDA to classify Stadol NS as a controlled substance. This move was odd because Bristol-Myers, was effectively asking the FDA to restrict the sales of Stadol NS- for by making the drug a controlled substance, it makes it more difficult for doctors to prescribe.

Evidence has emerged indicating that Stadol should have been more effectively controlled and physicians and patients should have been made aware that it was an addictive drug. As early as 1978, the Federal Drug Administration Advisory Committee reviewed another form of Stadol. Nearly twenty five years ago that committee recommended scheduling Stadol as addictive, citing its abuse potential symptoms in people who had used the drug during clinical trials. Unfortunately the committee's recommendation was not followed.

The suicide of a medical doctor's son brought the issue back into the public spotlight and the father of the victim (Morris A. Fisher M.D., professor of neurology at Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois.) has tried to force the company to acknowledge the risks of Stadol NS and educate doctors and patients about the dangers of Stadol.

Mr. Fisher's son committed suicide during treatment for an addiction for a supposedly "safe" treatment for migraine headaches.

If you or a loved one have experienced addiction, serious side effects or even the death or suicide of a loved one you believe may be related to Stadol use fill out the form below to get a prompt, and free evaluation of your situation.