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Fentanyl is an opioid pain medication, sometimes called a narcotic.
Fentanyl patches are a strong prescription pain medicine. The patches are used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain around the clock.
Fentanyl patches are used when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines or immediate-release opioid medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them.
Fentanyl patches are not for treating mild or occasional pain or pain from surgery. The patches are not for use to treat pain that is not around-the-clock.
Fentanyl can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Using this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
You should not use fentanyl unless you recently used opioid medicine and your body is tolerant to it (ask your doctor if you're not sure).
Do not put a fentanyl skin patch on any person who does not have a personal prescription for this medicine. You should not use fentanyl if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
severe asthma or other breathing problems; or
a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus).
To make sure fentanyl patches are safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
breathing problems, sleep apnea;
a head injury, brain tumor, or mental illness;
alcoholism or drug addiction;
urination problems;
a seizure disorder;
liver or kidney disease; or
problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.
Tell your doctor if you have been sick with a fever. Having a high temperature can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin.
If you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Do not breastfeed while you are using fentanyl.
Apply the fentanyl patch exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use fentanyl patches in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more fentanyl patches. Never use a skin patch if it has been cut or damaged.
Stop using all other around-the-clock opioid medications.
Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.
Do not allow the skin patch to come into contact with your mouth, eyes, nose, or lips, or another person's skin.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Wear the fentanyl skin patch around the clock, removing and replacing the patch every 72 hours (3 days). Do not wear more than 1 patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.
When placing a skin patch on a young child, choose a wearing area where the child cannot easily remove the patch unsupervised.
Do not stop using fentanyl suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Store each patch in its foil pouch at room temperature.
Keep both used and unused patches out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of fentanyl in a used skin patch can be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks or chews on the patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.
After removing a skin patch: fold it in half with the sticky side in, and flush the patch down the toilet right away. Do not place a used skin patch into a trash can.
Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, dispose of any unused skin patches in the same folded manner. Do not flush the foil pouch or patch liners; place them in a trash container out of the reach of children and pets.
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain:
Due to the risk of respiratory depression, the transdermal patch is for use in opioid-tolerant patients only; opioid tolerant patients have been taking at least: morphine 60 mg daily, oral oxycodone 30 mg daily, oral hydromorphone 8 mg daily, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for 1 week or longer.
-Discontinue all other extended-release opioids when beginning therapy.
Initial doses: The initial dose should be individualized taking into account the patient's prior treatment experience. This dose may be calculated based on the dose conversion guidelines in the product package insert, local protocol, or another reliable reference; when calculating, be aware there is substantial inter-patient variability in the relative potency of different opioid drugs and products and therefore it is preferable to underestimate a 24-hour fentanyl requirement and provide rescue medication than to overestimate which could result in adverse reactions.
Dose titration:
-Initial: May increase dose after 3 days based on the daily dose of supplemental opioid analgesics required by the patient on the second or third day of the initial application.
-Further titration should occur after no less than two 3-day applications as it may take up to 6 days for fentanyl levels to reach equilibrium. Titration should be based on the daily dose of supplementary opioids required and the following ratio may be used: Increase transdermal fentanyl by 12 mcg//hr for use of supplemental oral morphine doses of 45 mg/24 hours.
Maintenance dose: Adjust dose to obtain an appropriate balance between pain management and opioid-related adverse reactions. During chronic therapy, periodically reassess the continued need for opioid analgesics.
Comments:
-Do not begin a patient on a fentanyl transdermal patch as their first opioid.
-A small number of patients may require a 48-hour dosing interval; an increase in dose should be evaluated before changing dosing intervals.
If you are using the skin patches on a schedule, apply the missed patch as soon as you remember. Continue wearing the patch for up to 72 hours and then apply a new one if needed for pain. Do not wear extra patches to make up a missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A fentanyl overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.
Avoid sources of heat while you are wearing the patch. Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket, a waterbed heater, tanning bed or sauna. Do not sit in hot water, sunbathe, or raise your body temperature with vigorous activity. Heat can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin and may cause an overdose or death.
Grapefruit may interact with fentanyl and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Avoid wearing a skin patch on a part of your body where a child could reach or remove the patch from your skin. Avoid allowing children to watch you put on a skin patch. Never tell a child that the fentanyl skin patch is a "bandage."
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how using fentanyl patches will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to a fentanyl patch: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Remove the skin patch and call your doctor at once if you have:
slow heart rate, sighing, weak or shallow breathing (up to several days after removing the skin patch);
breathing that stops during sleep;
confusion, severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;
chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats; or
low cortisol levels - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.
Common fentanyl patch side effects may include:
headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
itching, redness, or rash where a patch was worn;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
increased sweating, or cold feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.
Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:
cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");
medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
other narcotic medications - opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
a sedative like Valium - diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing - a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or
drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body - a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fentanyl, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use fentanyl patches only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Fentanyl Citrate (www.drugs.com/fentanyl.html).
Commonly reported side effects of fentanyl include: fever, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and diaphoresis. Other side effects include: hypoventilation. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to fentanyl: lozenge/troche, spray, tablet
Other dosage forms:
Sublingual route (Spray)
Warning: Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression, Accidental Ingestion; Cytochrome P450 3A4 Interaction; Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants; Risk of Medication Errors; Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse; REMS; and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal SyndromeSerious, life-threatening, and/or fatal respiratory depression has occurred. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dose increase. Due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression, fentanyl sublingual spray is contraindicated in opioid non-tolerant patients and in management of acute or postoperative pain, including headache/migraines.Accidental ingestion of fentanyl sublingual spray, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of fentanyl. Keep out of reach of children. Ensure proper storage and disposal.Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inhibitors (or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers) can result in a fatal overdose of fentanyl.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; limit dosages and durations to the minimum required and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.When prescribing, do not convert patients on a mcg per mcg basis from any other oral transmucosal fentanyl product to fentanyl sublingual spray.When dispensing, do not substitute with any other fentanyl products.Fentanyl sublingual spray exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.Fentanyl sublingual spray is available only through a restricted program called the TIRF REMS Access program. Outpatients, healthcare professionals who prescribe to outpatients, pharmacies, and distributors are required to enroll in the program.Prolonged use of fentanyl sublingual spray during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. If prolonged opioid use is required in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available..
Buccal mucosa route (Film; Lozenge/Troche; Tablet)
Due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression, transmucosal fentanyl citrate is contraindicated in opioid non-tolerant patients and in management of acute or postoperative pain, including headache/migraines. Monitor for respiratory depression during treatment. Accidental ingestion of fentanyl can result in a fatal overdose, especially in children; keep out of reach of children. Use with CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers may change fentanyl plasma levels resulting in a fatal overdose of fentanyl and monitoring is recommended. Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for patients with inadequate alternative treatment options, limit dosage and duration to the minimum required, and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation. When prescribing, do not convert patients on a mcg per mcg basis from any other fentanyl products. When dispensing, do not substitute with any other fentanyl products. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance with abuse liability similar to other opioid analgesics. Assess risk prior to initiation and monitor for signs of misuse, abuse, and addiction during treatment. Only available through a restricted program called the Transmucosal Immediate Release Fentanyl Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (TIRF REMS) Access program. Outpatients, healthcare professionals who prescribe to outpatients, pharmacies, and distributors are required to enroll in the program. Prolonged use during pregnancy may result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. If prolonged use is required in a pregnant woman, advise patient of potential fetal risk and ensure appropriate treatment will be available.
Sublingual route (Tablet)
Due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression, sublingual fentanyl citrate is contraindicated in opioid non-tolerant patients and in management of acute or postoperative pain, including headache/migraines. Monitor for respiratory depression during treatment. Accidental ingestion of fentanyl can result in a fatal overdose, especially in children; keep out of reach of children. Use with CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers may change fentanyl plasma levels resulting in fatal overdose and monitoring is recommended. Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for patients with inadequate alternative treatment options, limit dosage and duration to the minimum required, and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation. When prescribing, do not convert patients on a mcg per mcg basis from any other fentanyl products. When dispensing, do not substitute with any other fentanyl products. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance with abuse liability similar to other opioid analgesics. Assess risk prior to initiation and monitor for signs of misuse, abuse, and addiction during treatment. Only available through a restricted program called the Transmucosal Immediate Release Fentanyl Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (TIRF REMS) Access program. Outpatients, healthcare professionals who prescribe to outpatients, pharmacies, and distributors are required to enroll in the program. Prolonged use during pregnancy may result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. If prolonged use is required in a pregnant woman, advise patient of potential fetal risk and ensure appropriate treatment will be available.
Along with its needed effects, fentanyl may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fentanyl:
More common
Less common
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking fentanyl:
Symptoms of overdose
Some side effects of fentanyl may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Incidence not known
Applies to fentanyl: buccal film, buccal tablet, compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, nasal spray, oral lozenge, oral transmucosal lozenge, sublingual spray, sublingual tablet, transdermal device, transdermal film extended release
The most commonly reported adverse reactions included headache, nausea, vomiting, ,dizziness, and constipation.
Very common (10% or more): Somnolence, dizziness
Common (1% to 10%): Sedation, pyrexia, fatigue, lethargy, tremor, headache, chills, irritability, malaise, confusion, abnormal thinking, anxiety, dysphoria
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperesthesia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Severe hemiplegic migraine
Frequency not reported: Slurred speech, paresthesia, hypesthesia, tremor
Postmarketing reports: Loss of consciousness, vertigo, coma, shock, convulsion
Cases of seizures have occasionally been reported, but some investigators have suggested that the seizure-like events reported may have been episodes of fentanyl induced-rigidity.
One report has suggested that epidural fentanyl may mask the pain of myocardial ischemia in patients treated with fentanyl for other reasons. Another report has suggested that QTc interval prolongation may occur in some patients receiving the related narcotic sufentanil. Another report has implicated fentanyl as a potential cause of pulsus alternans in a patient with aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure.
Nevertheless, fentanyl has been advocated by some as a satisfactory agent for coronary artery surgery.
Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sinus tachycardia, chest pain, hypertension, hypotension, palpitations
Rare (less than 0.1%): Arrhythmias, cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Syncope, vasodilation, bradycardia, bigeminy, myocardial infarct
Postmarketing reports: Circulatory depression
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (18%), vomiting (10%), constipation
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, abdominal distension, gastritis, dysphagia, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ascites, hematemesis, taste perversion, abdominal pain, dehydration, anorexia, cachexia, vomiting, dry mouth, mouth ulcers/stomatitis, tongue edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdomen enlarged, flatulence
Rare (less than 0.1%): Choledochoduodenal sphincter spasm
Frequency not reported: Diarrhea
Postmarketing reports: Ileus, dental caries, tooth loss, gingival recession, gingivitis, gingival bleeding, lip edema, pharyngeal edema, gum bleeding, ulcer
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Priapism
Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection, urination impaired, hematuria, urinary urgency, dysuria
Approximately 60% of patients had some redness at the skin site 24-hours after removal of the iontophoretic transdermal system. The majority of skin events were categorized as mild, erythema and papules were observed; 2 patients had hyperpigmentation at the application site lasting 2 to 3 weeks; 3 patients had a rectangular mark at the application site which persisted for up to 3 months.
Very common(10% or more): Iontophoretic transdermal system: Application site reaction-Erythema (14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Application site irritation, pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis, rash
Rare (less than 0.1%): Systemic rashes
Frequency not reported: vesicles, papules/pustules, dry and flaky skin, vesiculobullous rash wound site oozing/bleeding, wound site inflammation/erythema
Postmarketing reports: Application site discharge, application site bleeding, application site infection, rash and scab, erosion, hyperesthesia, application site necrosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylaxis
The hemolysis observed may have been related to rapid injection of large volumes of hypotonic fentanyl solution. The authors therefore recommend slower injection rates and/or mixture in isotonic fluid.
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, neutropenia, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, aspartate aminotransferase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood glucose increased, blood lactate increased, hypoalbuminemia, vasodilation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oral candidiasis, cellulitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, oral herpes, gastroenteritis, laryngitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Recurrent herpes simplex infection following epidural administration
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, peripheral edema, weight decreased, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Frequency not reported: abnormal healing, dehydration
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hot flush
Common (1% to 10%): Fall/accidental injury, back pain, arthralgia, joint swelling, muscular weakness, myoclonus, involuntary muscle contractions, muscle rigidity (involving the respiratory musculature including the glottis)
Frequency not reported: Leg cramps, myalgia
Postmarketing reports: Abnormal gait/incoordination
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision blurred, dry eye
Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal vision
Common (1% to 10%): Depression, confusional state, hallucination, insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, agitation, restlessness, agitation, disorientation, abnormal dreams, depersonalization, depression, emotional lability, euphoria, delirium
Frequency not reported: Nervousness
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, rhinitis, yawning, respiratory distress, apnea, bradypnea, hypoventilation, respiratory depression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cough, increased bronchial secretion, dysphonia, pharyngolaryngeal pain, wheezing, hypoxia, exertional dyspnea
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
Frequency not reported: Asthma, hiccup, atelectasis, hyperventilation
Postmarketing reports: Respiratory arrest
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Fentanyl Citrate (www.drugs.com/fentanyl.html).
June 26, 2020
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