Who is prescribed fentanyl

For more information about how fentanyl can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet about fentanyl on the Bumps website. Small amounts of fentanyl pass into breast milk and can cause breathing problems for your baby.

Speak to your doctor as they may want to recommend a different painkiller. Some medicines and fentanyl interfere with each other and increase the chance that you will have side effects. It's not possible to say that herbal medicines or remedies are safe to take with fentanyl. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. It works in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.

It also reduces the anxiety and stress caused by pain. A fentanyl injection into a vein gives the quickest pain relief. It works almost straight away and is usually only given in hospital. Fast-acting fentanyl tablets, lozenges and nasal sprays take around 15 to 30 minutes to work but they wear off after 4 to 6 hours. Fentanyl patches can take up to a day or two to start working but they will last longer.

Patches are usually given after fentanyl tablets. This is to make sure that you have pain relief from the tablets until the patches start to work. Depending on why you're taking fentanyl, you may only need to take it for a short time. For example, if you're in pain after an injury or operation, you may only need to take fentanyl for a few days or weeks.

For some people with conditions that need long-term pain relief it may be necessary to take fentanyl for a long time. If you need to take it for a long time your body can become tolerant to it.

That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time. Some people can become more sensitive to pain hyperalgesia. If this happens, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually to help these symptoms. It is possible to become addicted to fentanyl. For this reason, your dose will be reviewed to make sure you are only taking the amount you need to control your pain.

Your treatment plan may include details of how and when you will stop taking fentanyl. If you are having treatment for cancer pain or other severe pain, your pain control will be carefully monitored. Speak to your doctor if you are worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted. Yes, fentanyl is addictive. If you need to take it for a long time, your body can become tolerant to it. However, if you're using fentanyl to relieve pain rather than using it as a recreational drug it's very unlikely you will get addicted to it because you're not using it to get a "high".

You're more likely to get addicted if you use fentanyl when you're not in pain. It is also more likely if you've been addicted to alcohol or drugs in the past, or you have severe depression or anxiety. This does not mean you cannot use fentanyl. However, your doctor will need to know about your past and current drug and alcohol use to be able to prescribe fentanyl safely. They will help you watch out for any warning signs of addiction.

If you're addicted to fentanyl you may find it difficult to stop using it or feel you want to use it more often than you need to. Talk to your doctor about getting help with addiction if you're worried or you want to stop taking fentanyl. If you need to take fentanyl for a long time your body can become tolerant to it. This is not usually a problem.

However, you could get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. If you want to stop taking fentanyl, talk to your doctor first. Your dose can be reduced gradually so you do not get withdrawal symptoms. If you have been taking fentanyl for more than a few weeks, do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first. Fold your used patches in half so that the sticky sides stick to each other and then put it back in the packet it came in.

Return any used or unused patches to your pharmacist who will destroy them safely. Fentanyl acts on different pain signals in the brain to some other opioids.

The pain relief and side effects will be different for everyone. Your doctor may prescribe fentanyl if you have had side effects from other opioids.

The way you take fentanyl is different to some other painkillers. Fentanyl is not absorbed very well by swallowing tablets. Instead your body absorbs it through your skin, your nostrils, or your tongue or the inside of your cheek. Some people find skin patches more convenient as it means they do not need to take tablets or capsules regularly.

It's best not to drink alcohol when you first start taking or using fentanyl until you see how it affects you. Drinking alcohol while taking fentanyl will make you more sleepy and increases the risk of serious side effects.

Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of fentanyl in your body so it's a good idea not to drink more than a large glass of it. Fentanyl does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception. But if fentanyl makes you sick vomit your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

If this happens, follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with your contraceptive pills. Find out what to do if you're on the pill and you're sick or have diarrhoea. There's no clear evidence to suggest that fentanyl reduces fertility in women or men.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying for a baby. They may want to review your treatment. Do not drive a car or ride a bike if fentanyl makes you sleepy, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start on fentanyl but could happen at any time — for example when starting another medicine.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much fentanyl is in your body.

UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking fentanyl. If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin, while you're taking fentanyl, you're more likely to get the serious side effects. These include breathing difficulties, heart problems such as high blood pressure , seizure or fits and even going into a coma.

Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, will also increase the risk of side effects from fentanyl — it may make you feel really sleepy or dizzy.

Taking heroin while you're on fentanyl is especially dangerous. You're more likely to get all the side effects of fentanyl. Tell your doctor if you think you may take recreational drugs while you're on fentanyl. Page last reviewed: 15 April Next review due: 15 April Fentanyl - Brand names: Durogesic, Matrifen, Fencino, Fentalis, Suplimaze, Actiq On this page About fentanyl Key facts Who can and cannot take fentanyl How and when to take it Taking fentanyl with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About fentanyl Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller. Fentanyl is available only on prescription. It comes as: patches to be put on your skin lozenges and tablets that dissolve in the mouth nasal spray injections usually only given in hospital Fentanyl patches are used for long-lasting pain.

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Symptoms include:. Not sure what you are looking for? Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you. In Australia between , one hundred and thirty-six fentanyl-related deaths were recorded. Fentanyl patches should be stored at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom.

To dispose of used fentanyl patches, fold the patch inwards on itself so that the adhesive sides meet, and return to the dispensing pharmacy. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after disposing of the fentanyl patches. Do not put leftover or used fentanyl patches in the rubbish. Last published: November 10, What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is an opioid. Illicit use Some people use fentanyl illegally by extracting it from the patch and injecting it.

Prescribed fentanyl can be 'diverted' when individuals: obtain medication without a prescription from another doctor through their profession e. Effects of fentanyl There is no safe level of drug use. Fentanyl affects everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug varies between drug form e. Call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero if you have any of these symptoms ambulance officers do not have to involve the police : chest pain slowed breathing bluish lips and complexion seizure passing out coma death.

Naloxone information video. If injecting drugs, there is an increased risk of: tetanus. If sharing needles, there is an increased risk of: hepatitis B. Use the child-resistant locks and other supplies provided by the manufacturer to keep children away from the lozenges.

Keep track of how much fentanyl is left so you will know if any is missing. Store fentanyl at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Do not freeze fentanyl. You must immediately dispose of any medication that is outdated or no longer needed through a medicine take-back program..

If you do not have a take-back program nearby or one that you can access promptly, then flush the fentanyl down the toilet so that others will not take it. Dispose of unneeded lozenges by removing each lozenge from the blister package, holding the lozenge over the toilet, and cutting off the medicine end with wire cutters so that it falls into the toilet. Throw away the remaining handles in a place that is out of the reach of children and pets, and flush the toilet twice when it contains up to five lozenges.

Dispose of unneeded tablets or films by removing them from the packaging and flushing them down the toilet. Throw the remaining fentanyl packaging or cartons into a trash container; do not flush these items down the toilet.

Call your pharmacist or the manufacturer if you have questions or need help disposing of unneeded medication. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, remove the fentanyl from the victim's mouth and call local emergency services at While using fentanyl, you should talk to your doctor about having a rescue medication called naloxone readily available e.

Naloxone is used to reverse the life-threatening effects of an overdose. It works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood. Your doctor may also prescribe you naloxone if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs. You should make sure that you and your family members, caregivers, or the people who spend time with you know how to tell recognize an overdose, how to use naloxone, and what to do until emergency medical help arrives.

Your doctor or pharmacist will show you and your family members how to use the medication. Ask your pharmacist for the instructions or visit the manufacturer's website to get the instructions.

If symptoms of an overdose occur, a friend or family member should give the first dose of naloxone, call immediately, and stay with you and watch you closely until emergency medical help arrives. Your symptoms may return within a few minutes after you receive naloxone. If your symptoms return, the person should give you another dose of naloxone. Additional doses may be given every 2 to 3 minutes, if symptoms return before medical help arrives.

Do not let anyone else use your medication, even if he or she has the same symptoms that you have. Selling or giving away this medication may cause severe harm or death to others and is against the law. This prescription is not refillable. Be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor on a regular basis so that you do not run out of medication. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Fentanyl pronounced as fen' ta nil. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication. To use fentanyl lozenges Actiq , follow these steps: Check the blister package and the handle of the lozenge to make sure the lozenge contains the dose of medication you have been prescribed.

Use scissors to cut open the blister package and remove the lozenge. Do not open the blister package until you are ready to use the medication. Place the lozenge in your mouth, between your cheek and gum. Actively suck on the lozenge, but do not chew, crush, or bite it. Move the lozenge around in your mouth, from one side to the other, using the handle.

Twirl the handle often. Do not eat or drink anything while the lozenge is in your mouth. Finish the lozenge in about 15 minutes. If you begin to feel dizzy, very sleepy, or nauseated before you have finished the lozenge, remove it from your mouth.

Dispose of it immediately as described below or put it in the temporary storage bottle for later disposal. If you finish the entire lozenge, throw the handle away in a garbage can that is out of the reach of children. If you did not finish the entire lozenge, hold the handle under hot running water to dissolve all the medication, and then throw the handle away in a garbage can that is out of the reach of children and pets.

To use fentanyl buccal tablets Fentora , follow these steps: Separate one blister unit from the blister card by tearing along the perforations. Peel back the foil to open the blister unit. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil.