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Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family drinks or has ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, uses or has ever used street drugs, or has overused prescription medications, or has had an overdose, or if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.
There is a greater risk that you will overuse fentanyl patches if you have or have ever had any of these conditions. Talk to your health care provider immediately and ask for guidance if you think that you have an opioid addiction or call the U. Fentanyl patches may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of your treatment and any time your dose is increased.
Your doctor will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Because of this serious risk, fentanyl patches should only be used to treat people who are tolerant used to the effects of the medication to opioid medications because they have taken this type of medication for at least one week and should not be used to treat mild or moderate pain, short-term pain, pain after an operation or medical or dental procedure, or pain that can be controlled by medication that is taken as needed.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had slowed breathing or asthma. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use fentanyl patches. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways , a head injury, a brain tumor, or any condition that increases the amount of pressure in your brain.
The risk that you will develop breathing problems may be higher if you are an older adult or are weak or malnourished due to disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: slowed breathing, long pauses between breaths, or shortness of breath. Taking certain medications with fentanyl may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma.
Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medications and will monitor you carefully. If you use fentanyl with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care immediately: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness. Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
If you use fentanyl with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.
Drinking alcohol, taking prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or using street drugs during your treatment with fentanyl increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Do not drink alcohol, take prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or use street drugs during your treatment. Do not allow anyone else to use your medication.
Fentanyl patches may harm or cause death to other adults and children who use them. Store fentanyl patches in a safe place so that no one else can use them accidentally or on purpose. Be especially careful to keep fentanyl patches out of the reach of children.
Keep track of how many patches are left so you will know if any are missing. People who are not being treated with fentanyl patches may be seriously harmed or may die if the sticky side of a patch touches their skin.
Be careful not to allow the sticky side of the patch to touch anyone else's skin. If you are holding or caring for children, make sure that they do not touch your patch. If the patch accidentally comes off of your body and sticks to another person's skin, immediately remove the patch, wash the area with clear water, and get emergency medical attention. Fentanyl patches that have been worn for 3 days still contain enough medication to cause serious harm or death to adults or children who are not being treated with the medication.
Never throw used or unused patches in a trash can or leave them in a place where they may be found by others, especially children. Dispose of used and unwanted patches properly according to instructions.
If your fentanyl patch is exposed to extreme heat, it may release too much medication into your body at once. This can cause serious or life-threatening symptoms. Do not expose your patch or the skin around it to direct heat such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, and heated water beds.
Do not take long, hot baths or sunbathe while you are wearing the patch. Your patch may also release too much medication if you have a fever or if you get very hot after physical activity.
Avoid physical activity that might cause you to get very hot. Call your doctor right away if you have a fever. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use fentanyl patches regularly during your pregnancy, your baby may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Tell your baby's doctor right away if your baby experiences any of the following symptoms: irritability, hyperactivity, abnormal sleep, high-pitched cry, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, vomiting, diarrhea, or failure to gain weight. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet Medication Guide when you begin treatment with fentanyl patches and each time you fill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Fentanyl patches are used to relieve severe pain in people who are expected to need pain medication around the clock for a long time and who cannot be treated with other medications.
Fentanyl is in a class of medications called opiate narcotic analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Transdermal fentanyl comes as a patch to apply to the skin. The patch is usually applied to the skin once every 72 hours.
Change your patch at about the same time of day every time you change it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Apply fentanyl patches exactly as directed. Your doctor may start you on a low dose fentanyl patch and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every 3 days at first, and then not more often than once every 6 days.
Your doctor may decrease your dose if you experience side effects. 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.
Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? The most common side effects of fentanyl are constipation, and feeling sick and sleepy. It is possible to become addicted to fentanyl, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted. If you need to take fentanyl for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine.
It's best not to drink alcohol when you first start taking or using fentanyl. You're more likely to get side effects such as feeling sleepy or drowsy. Tell a doctor or nurse about your fentanyl patch if you're having any treatment or tests. Also, remind your pharmacist about your patch when you collect prescriptions or buy other medicines. Fentanyl can be used by most adults. Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to fentanyl or any other medicines have breathing difficulties such as asthma or a lung condition are addicted to alcohol or a heavy drinker have a head injury or condition that causes fits or seizures have irregular heartbeats arrhythmia have adrenal gland problems have kidney or liver problems have an enlarged prostate have low blood pressure are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How often to take or use fentanyl How often you take or use fentanyl depends on the type that you've been prescribed: patches — apply a new patch every 3 days remove the old one first tablets, lozenges and nasal spray — usually only when you need them Some patches keep working after they've been removed as they "store" fentanyl under the skin.
Important: Overdose warning Do not apply more than 1 patch at a time, unless your doctor tells you to. Using more patches than recommended could lead to a fatal overdose.
Strength of fentanyl The different types of fentanyl come in a range of strengths: patches — these release 12 micrograms to micrograms of fentanyl every hour nasal spray — 50 micrograms to micrograms tablets — micrograms to micrograms lozenges — micrograms to 1, micrograms Will my dose go up or down?
How to apply a fentanyl patch Read the instructions that come with your patch carefully. Remove the patch from the packet — do not use scissors to open it as you may cut the patch. Do not cut patches unless your doctor has told you to. Keep the empty packet — you will need to put your used patch in this to keep it safe. You will then need to return it to your pharmacist who will destroy it in the right way. Peel off the plastic from the back of the patch.
Do not touch the sticky side of the patch. Apply the patch to clean, dry, flat, undamaged skin. Choose somewhere you can reach easily such as the top of your chest or top of your arm.
Try to avoid very hairy areas, or clip the hairs first before applying the patch. If you find shaving easier, shave the area a few days before you apply the patch to make sure shaving does not irritate your skin. If your doctor tells you to use more than 1 patch, follow the instructions that come with the patches. Do not let the patches overlap on your skin. Do not cover the patch or patches with anything, including a dressing or tape. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you find your patch does not stick very well.
Wash your hands after touching a patch. What to do if your patch falls off Check your patch every day to make sure it stays stuck to you, especially around the edges. Urgent advice: Call and remove the patch straight away if:. Changing your patch When you change your patch, try to do it at the same time of day.
You could: write the details on your calendar write the time and date on the surface of the patch itself using a soft-tip, permanent marker pen use a phone app or smart speaker to record the time Storing fentanyl safely Keep all types of fentanyl in a safe place and out of reach of children or vulnerable adults.
What if I forget to take or apply it? Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? Immediate action required: Call if:.
You are more likely to get side effects with higher doses of fentanyl. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away: constipation feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting stomach pain feeling sleepy or tired feeling dizzy or a sensation of spinning vertigo confusion headaches itching or skin rashes Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people.
Call your doctor if you are wearing a patch, remove your patch if: your muscles feel stiff for no obvious reason you feel dizzy, tired and have low energy — all of these together could be a sign of low blood pressure. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to fentanyl.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: constipation — try to eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or squash each day.
If you can, it may also help to do some gentle exercise. Speak to your doctor about medicine to help prevent or treat constipation caused by fentanyl if your symptoms do not go away. Watch a short video on how to treat constipation.
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. If you're being sick, take small, regular sips of water. Ask your doctor about anti-sickness medicine if it gets worse or lasts longer than a few days. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals.
Talk to your doctor if they carry on for longer. Do not drink alcohol as it will make these side effects worse. If the feeling does not go away, do not take any more medicine and speak to a pharmacist or your doctor.
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Do not drink alcohol while taking fentanyl as this can make headaches worse. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking fentanyl. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you. If symptoms do not go away or it gets worse talk to your doctor as you may need to try a different painkiller.
Fentanyl and pregnancy Fentanyl is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Fentanyl and breastfeeding Fentanyl is not usually recommended if you're breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.
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