Migraine therapy: Stopping brain pain. Butorphanol (Stadol NS) is an intranasal narcotic analgesic with a rapid onset of effect and a response rate of 60% after 2 hours in patients with moderate to severe migraine attacks. Because of its abuse potential and high incidence of unpleasant side effects (dysphoria, nausea & vomiting, drowsiness), butorphanol is only recommended for patients with severe, infrequent attacks unresponsive to a triptan or dihydroergotamine (DHE).