This synthetic fentanyl is sold illegally as a powder, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids. Some drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. This is because it takes very little to produce a high with fentanyl, making it a cheaper option.
They might be taking stronger opioids than their bodies are used to and can be more likely to overdose. Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body's opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. When people become addicted, drug seeking and drug use take over their lives.
Yes, a person can overdose on fentanyl. An overdose occurs when a drug produces serious adverse effects and life-threatening symptoms. When people overdose on fentanyl, their breathing can slow or stop. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a coma and permanent brain damage, and even death.
As mentioned above, many drug dealers mix the cheaper fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine to increase their profits, making it often difficult to know which drug is causing the overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that can treat a fentanyl overdose when given right away. It works by rapidly binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioid drugs. But fentanyl is stronger than other opioid drugs like morphine and might require multiple doses of naloxone.
Because of this, if you suspect someone has overdosed, the most important step to take is to call so they can receive immediate medical attention. Once medical personnel arrive, they will administer naloxone if they suspect an opioid drug is involved. For people with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well.
This may increase the levels of fentanyl in your body and cause more side effects. For people with adrenal insufficiency: Taking this drug can reduce the amount of hormones your adrenal glands release.
If you have adrenal insufficiency, taking this drug can make it worse. For people with pancreas and gallbladder problems: Taking this drug can cause spasms that can make symptoms of conditions such as biliary tract disease and pancreatitis worse.
For people with urination problems: Taking this drug can cause your body to retain urine. If you already have trouble urinating, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage. For people with slow heart rate: Taking this drug can slow your heart rate. If you already have a slow heart rate bradycardia , this drug can make it worse. Use fentanyl with caution. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage and monitor you more closely for side effects. Research in animals has shown dangerous effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
If a woman takes this drug for a long time during pregnancy, it can lead to opioid withdrawal syndrome in a newborn. This can be life threatening for the baby. Symptoms of withdrawal may include irritability, hyperactivity and unusual sleep pattern, and high-pitched cry.
They can also include tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to gain weight. For women who are breastfeeding: Fentanyl passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child.
You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this drug. For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. For children: Fentanyl transdermal patch has not been established as safe or effective for use in children younger than 2 years. Fentanyl can interact with several other medications.
Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with fentanyl. Before taking fentanyl, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.
Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take these drugs with fentanyl. Taking fentanyl with these drugs can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:. Taking fentanyl with certain medications may result in an increase in negative effects. When fentanyl is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition.
You or your pharmacy will have to contact your doctor for a new prescription if you need this medication refilled. In the IV form Fentanyl is often used in ICUs for pain control due to its rapid onset of action and due to the minimal histamine release associated with fentanyl in comparison to morphine.
Fentanyl is also available as a sustained release transdermal patch which when applied to a fleshy non-bony region of the body functions as a basal pain medication for 72 hours. The fentanyl in the patch diffuses through the skin and depots in the adipose tissue and provides sustained pain relief.
Very hairy skin may need to be shaved locally before applying the patch. The efficacy of absorption of the fentanyl is dependant on the skin temperature and the availability of adequate adipose tissue.
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