Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an opioid based analgesic with a potency approximately 80 times that of morphine. Fentanyl is a strong pain killer used by many patients suffering from severe & chronic pain from cancer, spinal and back pain, spine & bone pain and other illnesses with life altering amounts pain. Fentanyl is a Schedule II drug in the United States

Fentanyl Patches

In the past few years, the patches have gone generic and are available for lower costs. Fentanyl patches are manufactured in five patch sizes: 12.5 micrograms/h, 25 µg/h, 50 µg/h, 75 µg/h, and 100 µg/h. Dosage is based on the size of the patch, since the transdermal absorption rate is generally constant at a constant skin temperature. Rate of absorption is dependent on a number of factors. Body temperature, skin type, amount of body fat, and placement of the patch can have major effects.

The different delivery systems used by different makers will also affect individual rates of absorption. The typical patch will take effect under normal circumstances usually within 8-12 hours, thus fentanyl patches are often prescribed with another opiate (such as morphine sulfate) to handle breakthrough-pain. Sadly many of the fentalyl pain patches have had to be recalled due to manufacturing defects and design defects which allows a large dose of fentanyl to be exposed and absorbed by the patient. This overdose can result in fentanyl toxicity or fentanyl intoxication. Major brands of fentanyl patches have had to recall huge lots of their transdermal fentanyl patches. For more information see: Actavis Fentanyl Patch Recall, Duragesic Patch Recall, & Sandoz Fentanyl Patch Recall.

Fentanyl Side Effects

Fentanyl's major side effects (more than 10% of patients) include diarrhea, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, somnolence, confusion, asthenia,and sweating; and, less frequently (3 to 10% of patients), , hypoventilation,  fatigue, anorexia and weight loss, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, nervousness, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, flu-like symptoms, dyspepsia, dyspneaapnea, and urinary retention.