Fentanyl
Description
Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic used in the management of pain and as anesthesia. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of the patients is necessary while receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Fentanyl
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Sudden swelling of hands, feet and ankles
- Change in mood
- Loss of appetite
Uses of Fentanyl
What is it prescribed for?
- Breakthrough Cancer Pain
- Anesthesia
- Chronic pain
- Regional anesthesia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by this medicine to show its effect is subject to vary based on the individual, strength and form of administration.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective is subject to vary based on the individual, strength and form of administration.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?Has a high potential for abuse. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Fentanyl or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Respiratory depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Gastrointestinal obstruction
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction including paralytic ileus due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects. A time gap of at least 14 days should be maintained between stopping therapy with MAOIs and starting therapy with this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Seizures
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of seizures due to the increased risk of recurrent seizures. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Drug Dependence
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Missed Dose
Oral (Sub-Lingual): Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional before and during a surgical procedure in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Transdermal: Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Oral & Transdermal: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Clonazepam
Bupropion
Amitriptyline
Chlordiazepoxide
Diazepam
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with hypotension due to the increased risk of orthostatic hypotension. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Intracranial hypertension
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from intracranial hypertension due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral (Sub-Lingual) & Transdermal: Follow all the instructions given by your doctor and administer this medicine exactly as advised. Do not administer in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Injection: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking pain signals from the body to the brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics
Schedule
Schedule H
Fentanyl [Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 12 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 12 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 12 December 2018]. Available from:
TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 12 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Sep 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.