Review Article
Pentazocine Injection Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review
- By Nkporbu A.K, Nkporbu N, Stanley P. C - 31 Dec 2025
- Current Research in Health Sciences, Volume: 3, Issue: 2, Pages: 29 - 33
- https://doi.org/10.58613/crhs325
- Received: 21.11.2025; Accepted: 19.12.2025; Published: 31.12.2025
Abstract
The misuse of pentazocine injections by sickle cell disease (SCD) patients was investigated in this systematic review. The mixed agonist-antagonist opioid pentazocine is frequently used to treat the pain of vaso-occlusive crises in areas with limited resources, but it is increasingly linked to serious injection-site problems and patient dependence. Results show that long-term, unmonitored pentazocine use causes osteomyelitis, calcific myofibrosis, contractures, fibrosis, and abscess formation. Psychologically, as a result of poor pain treatment and management, patients resort to self-medication procedures, which brings about depression, anxiety, and stigma. Poor opioid monitoring systems and very weak pharmaceutical restrictions make injectable formulations widely available without a proper prescription, which further promotes the abuse and misuse of the drug. Comprehensive clinical recommendations, patient education, and stricter medication control procedures are required to decrease the rising incidence of pentazocine-related problems in sickle cell populations.