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Is Fentanyl Lipid Soluble?

Fentanyl is a pain medication prescribed primarily for patients with cancer. The drug is classified as an opioid. It is highly lipid soluble and highly potent.

  1. Solubility

    • Fentanyl has an octanol-water partition coefficient of 9550. This indicates a very lipid soluble compound. In comparison, morphine has a octanol-water partition coefficient of 6.

    Benefits

    • Since fentanyl is highly lipid soluble, it is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier quickly. Therefore, the effects of fentanyl are immediate, and short lived.

    Applications

    • Fentanyl is used to manage chronic pain, usually associated with cancer. It is prescribed after the patient develops tolerance to other opioid treatments.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of fentanyl include weak, shallow breathing, weakness, confusion and cold hands. Swelling of the face, lips or tongue may indicate an allergic reaction to the drug.

    Interactions

    • Fentanyl can interact with other drugs such as aprepitant, diltiazem, verapamil, clarithromycin, erythromycin, fluconazole and fosamprenavir.

    Considerations

    • Patients who use an MAO inhibitor must wait 14 days before taking fentanyl. The MAO inhibitor must clear the body before fentanyl is taken.

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