Fentanyl – Information, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Drug Trade Name: Fentora

Category:  Opioid Analgesic 

Generic Name: Fentanyl

Introduction and quick information:

Fentanyl is an analgesic pain reliever with narcotic properties used for the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer cases. Fentanyl is usually given to patients those are already getting treatment with similar drugs. It is available in various forms for the treatment of various types of pain listed below:

• Long-acting forms like patches for the treatment of moderate or severe chronic pain.
• Short-acting forms that dissolve in the mouth for the treatment of breakthrough pain.
• It is also available in the form of injections to be used as an anesthetic.

Fentanyl is categorized as Schedule II controlled substance that specifies that it is highly abusive.    

Is it approved By FDA?     

U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved Fentanyl (Onsolis) in July, 2009. FDA recognized it as a medication to treat breakthrough pain in cancer patients.

Usage and Benefits of Fentanyl:

Fentanyl is a narcotic medication available only on prescription as it is considered most abusive among all prescribed drugs. Fentanyl is used as a pain reliever for various sorts of pains that are listed under:

• Around the clock for chronic pain relief
• As needed basis for breakthrough pain
• Its injections are used as an anesthetic

There may be other uses associated with fentanyl than those listed above. So, consult your doctor to know how fentanyl will work on your body and what advantages will it bring to you.

Fentanyl Side Effects:

Fentanyl should be recommended to only those people who are already getting any similar medication and can tolerate its effect. Some of the common side effects of Fentanyl have been listed below:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diaphoresis
• Breathing problem
  

You can also face some other kind of side-effects. So, Its better to consult your doctor if you are feeling unwell after taking dosage of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is prescribed with proper supervision to people suffering from following diseases:

• Epilepsy
• Low blood pressure
• Liver or kidney disease
• Mental illness
• Head injury or brain tumor

If you are suffering from any of the above-listed diseases or any other disease not mentioned above. Its recommended to consult your doctor before you take medicine.

 General recommended dosages of Fentanyl:

Taking dosage on your own behalf can be dangerous. It is better to consult your doctor and give him detailed information about your current health condition so that he can prescribe you correct dose, because larger dosage or longer duration of time both are harmful to your health.

In case I miss the dose?

Don’t worry. Just take it at the moment you remember but keep one thing in mind that if it is the time for your next scheduled dose better skip your missed dose because you may encounter side-effects of overdose. Always remember extra dosage never brings extra benefits. It brings only a chain of side effects with it. 

In case I take overdose?

Overdose is always hazardous. Extra dosage never brings extra benefits. It only brings unwanted conditions and results. Overdose of Fentanyl may cause rise in headache, shallow breathing, depression, hallucinations etc. So, seek immediate medical attention and consult your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions of Fentanyl:

Chemical products often show reactivity with other chemical products and so do drugs. Every drug has the tendency to react with one or the other drug. So, you should be aware about the drug interactions of the drugs.

Some of the drug interactions of Fentanyl are listed below:

• Ambient
• Xanax
• Lyrica
• Lasix
• Ativan
• Oxycontin
• Seroquel
• Protonix
• Nexium
• Tylenol
• Percocet
• Lexapro
• Dilaudid

The list shown above is not complete, there may be some other drugs that can cause some serious kind of interactions with Fentanyl. So, we recommend you to consult your doctor if you are taking any other medication along with Fentanyl.

Lifestyle and food habits you must follow when on Fentanyl:

A healthy lifestyle is always helpful in fighting against any kind of disease you are suffering from. Avoid fentanyl if you are involved in situations that require you to be awake and alert as Fentanyl can impair your thinking process and reactions. Avoid use of grapefruit products in your daily diet because it interacts with fentanyl and enhances your ecstasy. Quitting bad habits like drinking and smoking will be an added advantage.

How safe is Fentanyl for pregnant women or Nursing mothers?

Fentanyl is categorized under FDA pregnancy category C. It can cause harm to the fetus and even cause miscarriages. It can also reduce weight and survival rate of the offspring. Better consult your doctor in case of pregnancy.

 In case you are a nursing mother then also you should talk to your doctor because during this medication if baby is exposed to it then it may lead to breathing problems, difficulty in feeding of the infant. Infant can also show some symptoms of opioid withdrawal like high-pitched crying, shakiness and irritability. 

Complications and Conditions possible due to prolonged use of Fentanyl:

You may experience side-effects that can be intolerable due to prolonged use of Fentanyl. These side-effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, pale skin and many more. Prolonged use of fentanyl can be abusive and habit-forming. In short, you may get addicted to it and in that case only your doctor can help you in getting rid of this addiction.

Availability of Fentanyl:

Fentanyl is available after the doctor’s prescription only and it is not OTC (Over-The -Counter) drug.