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Fentanyl |
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What is Fentanyl and why is it prescribed? Fentanyl patches deliver a continuous dose of the potent narcotic painkiller Fentanyl for a period of three days. The Fentanyl patches are prescribed for chronic pain when short-acting narcotics and other types of painkillers fail to provide relief. When wearing a Fentanyl patch, check with your doctor before taking any other drugs that slow the nervous system. The combined effect can impair breathing, reduce blood pressure, and lead to coma. Drugs in this category include the following: Antipsychotic drugs (such as Compazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, and Thorazine), Muscle relaxants (such as Flexeril, Robaxin, and Skelaxin), Narcotic painkillers (such as Demerol, Percodan, OxyContin, and Vicodin), Sleep aids (such as Ambien, Halcion, and Sonata), Sleep-inducing antihistamines (such as Benadryl and Phenergan), Tranquilizers (such as Ativan, Librium, Valium, and Xanax), and Alcoholic beverages. How should you take Fentanyl? Follow your doctors directions for taking Fentanyl. Apply the patch to a flat surface such as the chest, back, side, or upper arm. Hair at the site should be clipped (but not shaved). If the skin needs to be washed, use clear water. Do not use soaps, oils, lotions, alcohol, or any other cleanser that could irritate the skin. Allow the skin to dry completely. Apply the patch as soon as you open the sealed package. Do not cut or tear the patch. Press it firmly in place with the palm of your hand for 30 seconds. Make sure that contact with the skin is complete, especially around the edges. After 3 days (72 hours), remove the patch, fold the adhesive side together, and flush the patch down the toilet. If needed, after a used patch is removed a fresh patch can be applied at a different site on the skin. Store Fentanyl below 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep out of reach of children. Unused Fentanyl patches should be removed from their package and flushed down the toilet. Are there any Fentanyl side effects? Fentanyl side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Fentanyl side effects may include abdominal pain, anxiety, confusion, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, exaggerated high spirits, hallucinations, headache, impaired or interrupted breathing, indigestion, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleepiness, sweating, urinary retention, vomiting, and weakness. Less common Fentanyl side effects may include abnormal gait, abnormal thinking, abnormal dreams, agitation, amnesia, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, gas, hiccups, irregular heartbeat, paranoia, poor coordination, rash, reactions at the application site, sore throat, speech disorders, tingling, and tremor. Rare Fentanyl side effects may include asthma and breathing disorders, bladder pain, bloated abdomen, blurred vision, depersonalization, diminished or frequent urination, failure to understand words, flaccid muscles, hostility, pustules and peeling skin, slow or rapid heartbeat, stupor, swelling, tense muscles, vertigo, vision loss in one eye, and weight loss. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Fentanyl? If Fentanyl is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Remember to check with your doctor before taking any other drugs that slow the nervous system. The dose of such drugs should be reduced by at least half. Certain other drugs can increase the effects of Fentanyl, triggering the need for a dosage reduction. They include: Antifungal medications (such as Diflucan, Nizoral, and Sporanox), HIV drugs classified as protease inhibitors (including Agenerase, Crixivan, Fortovase, Invirase, Kaletra, Norvir, and Viracept), and Macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, Biaxin, and Zithromax). Some drugs may have the opposite impact, decreasing the effects of Duragesic. They include: Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Phenytoin (Dilantin), and Rifampin (Rifadin). Are there any special warnings about Fentanyl? Heat can increase the release of Fentanyl from the Fentanyl patch, thereby increasing the risk of impaired breathing and other side effects. Do not expose the patch to heating pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, or other external sources of heat. Alert your doctor if you develop a high fever (104 degrees Fahrenheit or more). Like other narcotic painkillers, Fentanyl can impair your reactions. Extended use of Fentanyl can lead to physical and psychological dependence, but may be necessary to control chronic pain. If your breathing is already impaired by chronic pulmonary disease, Fentanyl's tendency to reduce respiration can be especially dangerous. The doctor will determine your dosage with extra caution. Fentanyl is not recommended for people with head injuries and other conditions that increase pressure on the brain, or for those who are semi-conscious or in a coma. Fentanyl should be used with caution by people with brain tumors. Use Fentanyl with caution if you have an irregular heartbeat. Fentanyl can make the problem worse. Caution is also advised if you have kidney or liver disease. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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