What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic psychoactive drug commonly used to control pain during surgery and post-surgical pain. Doctors also prescribe fentanyl for cancer patients and chronic pain that is intolerant of other drugs, such as morp**hine or hero**in, or when other painkillers are no longer working effectively.
First developed around the 1960’s, the drug is intended as an alternative to morp**hine. The doctor will use fentanyl to treat the unbearable pain from cancer therapy or postoperative pain. Fentanyl is quick to respond, crosses blood-and-brain boundaries faster than other drugs, and proves to be highly efficient at targeting opia**tes receptors in the body.
What Is Fentanyl Used For?
Fentanyl is a pain reliever that is used to relieve severe pain. The drug is also used as one of the anesthetic when the patient is undergoing surgery. Fentanyl works by altering the brain’s response to the central nervous system against pain.
Use of fentanyl can cause dependence. The doctor will adjust the dose to the need, while supervising the patient’s progression during the drug given. If the administered dose does not correspond to the patient’s condition, it may harm the patient’s safety.
Warning
- Be careful when using fentanyl when you are or have experienced alco**hol dependence, emotional disorders, psychosis, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, gallbladder disorders, gastric and intestinal disorders, intestinal inflammation, arrhythmia, hypertension, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, benign pros**tate enlargement, ureteric strictures, head injuries, high pressure in the brain, brain tumor, convulsions, shock, chronic pulmonary disease, spinal disorders, obesity, liver, or kidneys disorders.
- Be careful in using these drugs if you have had gastric or intestinal surgery, and urinary tract surgery.
- These drugs can lead to dependence. The use of the drug should be with full advice and supervision by a physician.
- Dose mismatch can lead to life-threatening overdose symptoms.
- Avoid using fentanyl with benzodiazepines.
- Tell your doctor if you are receiving other medications, including, supplements and herbal products.
- Immediately meet the doctor in case of allergic reactions or an overdose.
What Is Fentanyl Medicinal use rules
Use this medication only according to your doctor’s recommendation.
- For fentanyl in patch preparations, this drug is only used for those that are tolerant of opioid. The drug is only used in the skin, not used in burns, irritation, radiation, and stick into the dry skin and skin areas with little hair. Clean the area to be affixed fentanyl patches with only clean water, do not use soap, oil, lotion, or alco**hol. Remove the patch after 3 days, or according to your doctor’s recommendation. If possible, apply the next patch into another skin area. Wait at least 3 days before use in the same skin area.
- Fentanyl treatment is only when prescribed and advised by your doctor.
Dosage and how to use Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a drug that belongs to the drug group of narco**tics so on each purchase it should use a doctor’s prescription. In addition, a dose of fentanyl use should also be consulted with the doctor first before use, because its usage dose varies depending on the severity of the disease suffered. The use of fentanyl should be assisted by medical personnel.
- Anesthesia
Older persons: 50-100 mcg for 30-60 minutes before surgery - After the surgery
50-100 mcg injected through the muscles, repeated 1-2 hours when necessary.
Fentanyl Side Effects
Side effects that may arise are:
- Breath Depression
- The muscles become stiff
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinating.
Contraindications:
- Should not be administered to patients with a history of respiratory depression, head injuries, and acute asthma
- It should not be given to pregnant and nursing women.
Drug Interactions:
- Fentanyl in the blood will increase can be consumed along with erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, or amiodarone.
- Enhances the therapeutic effect of fentanyl, for example SSRI class antidepressants (escitalopram, fluoxetine) or SNRIs (eg. Duloxetine).
- Fentanyl absorption will increase when used alongside other anesthetic drugs, sedatives, or phenobarbital.
Pregnancy Category:
According to the FDA (United States Food and Drug Supervisory agency) categorizes Fentanyl into category C with the following explanation:
Studies in experimental animals showed the side effects on the fetus, but no controlled studies in pregnant women, the drug can be administered if the treatment effect is greater than the risk to the fetus.
Thank you very much for reading What Is Fentanyl: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects, hopefully useful.
