INN monograph
Nefopam
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Obtain allergy and medication history.
- Adjust for renal/hepatic impairment, pregnancy, lactation, extremes of age and interacting drugs.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration.
- Monitor for expected class adverse effects.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
IM: 20mg QID. Orally: Adult: 30 - 60 mg TID. Not recommended for children under 12 yrs. Geriatric dose should not exceed 30mg TID.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- It has anticholinergic / sympathomimetic activities hence the following side effects: urinary retention, blurred vision, drowsiness, sweating, hypotension and dry mouth.
- Other side effects include: syncope, palpitations, allergic reactions, GIT disorders, convulsions and headache.
Use
Indications
- Therapeutic use is agent- and indication-specific within the class (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class)).
- Use according to culture results, national guidelines (Kenya STG/EML where applicable) and the current product SmPC.
- Relief of acute and chronic pain
Pharmacology
Mode of action
This is not fully understood.
Full mechanism text
This is not fully understood. However, it is thought to act by: inhibition of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake, acting on histamine H3 receptors as well as acting as a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupan | Biocodex | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| NEFOGESIC 30 | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | TABS 10*S | 676.17 |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.