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Fentanyl Advantages

Fentanyl is a synthetic drug not derived from plants or animals but is made in a laboratory from chemicals. Created to mimic the effects of substances like heroin and morphine, Fentanyl is far more powerful than either. For example, it is sometimes as much as 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It requires careful usage by medical personnel. It takes effect quickly and is useful for surgery as well as painful procedures like tooth extractions.

  1. Common Uses

    • Most people are anxious in the face of surgery; anesthesiologists often begin with a dose of fentanyl. It acts quickly to relax patients and helps to prepare them for other drugs like sodium pentathol. Sodium pentathol is a drug often used with surgical patients to induce sleep and is usually administered by injection. Since fentanyl also dulls pain, it is often preferred for heart surgery and other delicate operations.

    Advantages

    • Fentanyl is also used after surgery to control pain. In hospitals, it is administered through an IV drip or sometimes an IV drip that is a patient-controlled pump. Patients can press a button to have a small dose of fentanyl delivered through their IV. Another common use is in skin patches (transdermal patch) which release a specific amount of the drug every hour for the treatment of chronic pain. For cancer patients already taking opiates like morphine or oxycodone, fentanyl patches often work well to control their chronic pain.

    Precautions

    • Like other opiate medications, fentanyl can inhibit breathing. If the dose is too high, a patient will stop breathing and die. It is essential to discuss with your doctor all other medications you are taking and any health conditions you may have. People with asthma or lung obstruction should not use it. Other side effects can result from taking fentanyl, including dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth and constipation. When you are ready to stop using the medication after extended regular treatment, it is important to reduce the dosage gradually. Sudden withdrawal can cause reactions like anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, diarrhea or shivering. If any of these symptoms occur, call your doctor immediately.

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