Butorphanol is described as which of the following?

• A. A good sedative
• B. An effective long-acting analgesic
• C. A non-opioid
• D. Causes severe respiratory depression

Answer: (A)

Butorphanol is useful in premedication because it provides analgesia with a calming, mild sedative effect, rather than producing deep anesthesia. It’s a mixed opioid (kappa agonist with mu antagonism) that delivers pain relief while typically causing only modest sedation. This combination makes it helpful to ease anxiety and discomfort without deep sedation, which is why it’s described as a good sedative. Its safety profile also includes a ceiling effect on respiratory depression, so the risk of severe breathing problems is lower than with pure mu agonists. It is not a long-acting analgesic, it is an opioid (not a non-opioid), and it does not usually cause severe respiratory depression when used appropriately.